Tourism crumbles in state, lodges shut down

Gangasagar tourist lodge still remains closed while Bakreshwar and Digha tourist lodges were recently re-opened after fresh tenders were floated and contracts were given to new parties. Some of the private parties that were given the contracts of various state tourist lodges in 1994-96 currently owe more than Rs 39 lakh to the state government.

The lodges were given to private parties on a management contract to relieve the extra burden off the shoulders of the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (WBTDC). Bakreshwar tourist lodge was given to Larica resorts in 1994-95 for 21 years. But the contract had to be terminated midway and the resort was closed down. The contractor still owes Rs 8,03,216 to the state government. Similarly, the old contractor of Digha lodge owes Rs 23,83,105 to the government as per the annual report 2006-07 of the WBTDC.

The Gangasagar tourist lodge was given to a party in 1994-95 for 21 years for an annual management license fee of Rs 3,24,000, but had to be closed down after the contract was terminated.

The contractors of Digha and Bakreshwar tourist lodges have been served with legal notice by the state government. In another case, contractors of Durgapur and Bankura tourist lodges owe Rs 4 lakh each as interest, after their principal amount has been paid. These parties have now moved to the court challenging the amount of interest.

“Most of these private parties are not established hotel chains. They only pay the annual sum till they make profit, after that arrears start piling up and we are forced to terminate the contract,” said TVN Rao, MD (WBTDC). He said giving out contracts is the only way to ensure investment of private parties in tourism. “For the smooth awarding of contracts to deserving parties, we have employed Srei international as our consultant,” Rao added.