Govt to develop Gandhi Bhavan into major tourist destination

Kolkata: Following the direction of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the state Government is taking a major step in developing Gandhi Bhavan in Beliaghata as one of the favourite tourist destinations in Kolkata.

It may be recalled that the state government has set up a 46-member committee with the Chief Minister as its chairperson to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The first meeting of the committee was held on April 23 and decision to undertake necessary task for proper renovation of the heritage structure was also taken. The state Public Works Department (PWD) carries out the maintenance work of the structure at present. A programme is also scheduled to be held at Gandhi Bhavan in Beliaghata on October 2. It may be mentioned that the structure in Beliaghata is of immense importance as Gandhiji had spent around 25 days in that bhavan.

Sources said Vivek Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Information and Cultural Affairs department, visited the place last week and held a high-level meeting with concerned officials. A senior official from the state PWD was also present in the meeting, where detailed discussions on tasks that need to be carried out were held.

An official said foreign tourists often visit the place. Hence, initiative has been taken to ensure that it gets a proper place on the state's tourism map.

A roadmap will be chalked out and based on the same, task will be carried out to develop the place as a destination for people visiting Bengal from different parts of the country and abroad.

There is garden all around the house and it is properly maintained. Now, steps will be taken to develop the area around Gandhi Bhavan. Since a lot of foreign tourists often visit the place, steps will also be taken to ensure that they reach the place easily without facing any trouble, sources said. All the tasks will be taken up only after the roadmap is prepared. According to an officer, the work of preparing the same has already started. Help of the concerned PWD officials would also be taken, if needed, to prepare the roadmap. It may be mentioned that to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of mahatma Gandhi, the state government will publish a booklet named as "Father of the Nation" containing speeches of Gandhiji.