Cooch Behar to develop into religious tourism hotspot: Suvendu
Kolkata: Aiming to develop Cooch Behar as a vibrant religious tourism destination, the Bengal govt will regularise the district’s flight connectivity and improve rail and road links and accommodation, CM Suvendu Adhikari announced on Wednesday after an administrative meeting in the district. Later in the day, Adhikari opened a new bridge on Murti at Jalpaiguri to ensure better connectivity for tourists.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Adhikari said Cooch Behar airport would be brought under the UDAN scheme , with a key agreement set to be signed on Sept 28 in the presence of Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu . He claimed that the move would resolve the long-standing uncertainty over regular flight operations from Cooch Behar.
Linking the airport initiative with a broader tourism push, the CM said Cooch Behar had considerable potential for religious as well as eco-tourism. He referred to Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s recent visit to Madhupur Dham and his own visit to the Madanmohan temple to highlight Cooch Behar’s religious significance.
“Our objective is to develop the district as a major tourism destination comparable to established north Bengal attractions such as Tiger Hill and the Dooars,” he said.
Saying there would be no shortage of funds for Cooch Behar’s overall transformation, Adhikari directed officials to expand the development plan beyond the initial Rs 2-crore detailed project report and undertake a larger package of development works.
“I took oath on May 9, 2026. By May 9, 2027, all steps will be taken to fulfil the dreams of the people of Cooch Behar,” he said.
Pointing out that land identification, preparation of DPRs and the process of fund allocation for upcoming projects had already begun, Adhikari said a substantial share of the works in the first tender issued by the north Bengal development department had been earmarked for Cooch Behar.
Implementation of several central schemes – Jal Jeevan Mission, PM Surya Ghar, Annapurna Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi – and the state’s Krishak Bandhu scheme was being expedited in the district, the CM said.
He promised to visit Cooch Behar during the upcoming Ras Purnima celebrations.
Speaking on the new bridge on Murti, Adhikari said it had been built at a cost of Rs 19.78 crore. He added that he had given approvals for the construction of a new bridge on Kalikhola at Nagrakata.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Adhikari said Cooch Behar airport would be brought under the UDAN scheme , with a key agreement set to be signed on Sept 28 in the presence of Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu . He claimed that the move would resolve the long-standing uncertainty over regular flight operations from Cooch Behar.
Linking the airport initiative with a broader tourism push, the CM said Cooch Behar had considerable potential for religious as well as eco-tourism. He referred to Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s recent visit to Madhupur Dham and his own visit to the Madanmohan temple to highlight Cooch Behar’s religious significance.
“Our objective is to develop the district as a major tourism destination comparable to established north Bengal attractions such as Tiger Hill and the Dooars,” he said.
Saying there would be no shortage of funds for Cooch Behar’s overall transformation, Adhikari directed officials to expand the development plan beyond the initial Rs 2-crore detailed project report and undertake a larger package of development works.
“I took oath on May 9, 2026. By May 9, 2027, all steps will be taken to fulfil the dreams of the people of Cooch Behar,” he said.
Pointing out that land identification, preparation of DPRs and the process of fund allocation for upcoming projects had already begun, Adhikari said a substantial share of the works in the first tender issued by the north Bengal development department had been earmarked for Cooch Behar.
Implementation of several central schemes – Jal Jeevan Mission, PM Surya Ghar, Annapurna Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi – and the state’s Krishak Bandhu scheme was being expedited in the district, the CM said.
He promised to visit Cooch Behar during the upcoming Ras Purnima celebrations.
Speaking on the new bridge on Murti, Adhikari said it had been built at a cost of Rs 19.78 crore. He added that he had given approvals for the construction of a new bridge on Kalikhola at Nagrakata.
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