March 27 poll date to hit tourism in Rarh Bengal

KOLKATA: Apprehending that the tourism industry in Rarh Bengal will be adversely hit with the first phase of the elections in Purulia, a part of Bankura and Jhargram scheduled to take place on March 27, a day ahead of the Dol festival in Bengal, the Travel Agents Association of Bengal (TAAB) has decided to launch a movement demanding deferment of the dates.

“We will write to the Election Commission as Rarh Bengal urging the poll body to reconsider the March 27 date. Rarh Bengal that comprises Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram districts has a record tourist flow during the Dol when the Palash flowers in full bloom are a feast to the eyes. The tourists will be apprehensive of coming to these places with the election scheduled just ahead of the Dol," Nilanjan Basu, General Secretary of TAAB said.

Sumit Dutta founder of Jhargram Tourism said that for the last 7-8 years tourists pour in large numbers at Jhargram to celebrate the Basanta Utsav (Holi). It was not an exception this year too and most of our resorts have already been booked. “Now with the election date being announced many of the properties will be taken up for the purpose of polls. We have cancelled the Basanta Utsav programme and as per estimates the loss will be to the tune of Rs 50 lakh,” said Dutta.

Sandip Mishra, Front Office Manager of Aranyak Hotel in Jhargram said that the authorities will hold a meeting soon after this weekend and take a decision on whether they will give a full refund or adjust the package as per the preference of tourists at alternative dates.

A number of properties at Mukutmanipur in Bankura and Purulia, which have already had more than 90 per cent booking during this period are keeping their fingers crossed fearing a similar loss in business. “Queries have already started coming in about whether it will be a good idea to go for a visit during this period," Supriyo Ganguly owner of a resort at Garhpanchakot in Purulia said.