Several bus routes in North Bengal had gone out of service due to recurring losses and bad roads. But with the passage of time, as the North Bengal Surface Transport Corporation (NBSTC) is on the path of financial profit, an old fleet of buses will soon be launched into service yet again.
The department of North Bengal Development, West Bengal government, played an important role in materialising the project titled Sobujer Hatchani (The Greenery beckons) that will see the light of the day in the first week of December. Following the earlier tradition double-decker buses will be part of the project.
A sad termination after a gala launch
The project, which originally started in the year 2008 with five deluxe mini rocket buses, was meant to connect the tourist spots in Doors and other adjoining places in North Bengal. But the service came to halt in the year 2009.
Back with a bang
North Bengal development minister and NBSTC chairman Goutam Deb played an instrumental role in the revival of the project. This project will be beneficial for both the tourists and the transport corporation. While the ride professes to be economical, tourists are expected to flock to the service. NBSTC hopes restarting the project will fill in their coffers, thus helping the cash-strapped corporation in economic revival.
The bus-route
The bus journey will start from Coochbehar, head towards Rashikbill, move on to Rajabhatkhawa and then return to Coochbehar. Cost of the journey will be Rs 375 per person. The trip will include lunch and other refreshments.
Another route has also been planned from Coochbehar; this will cover Chilapata, Jaldapara and Phuentsholing, and then return to Coochbehar. A jungle safari in Jaldapara area will also be included in this package. The ride will cost a person Rs 750.
According to Managing Director of NBSTC Joydeb Thakur, 33 new buses have been bought and all the tickets have been sold for the first day. NBSTC plans to extend the routes till Lataguri, Darjeeling and even Bhutan from January.
Parting Thought
Winter is the month when tourists flock to North Bengal. With the revival of this project, the tourism industry in the state will receive a huge boost.
Due to the lack of initiatives earlier, tourism was taking a hit. Now its going to be a great time ahead. The buses introduced on these routes make it easier, as earlier only private cars could be hired to visit these spots.
Another tourism initiative from the govt. Bengal would soon get the most number of tourists from India.
Comments and Moderation Policy
MaaMatiManush.tv
encourages open discussion and debate, but please adhere to the rules
below, before posting. Comments or Replies that are found to be in
violation of any one or more of the guidelines will be automatically
deleted.
Personal attacks/name calling will not be tolerated. This applies to comments or replies directed at the author, other commenters or repliers and other politicians/public figures.
Please do not post comments or replies that target a specific community, caste, nationality or religion.
While you do not have to use your real name, any commenters using any MaaMatiManush.tv writer's name will be deleted, and the commenter banned from participating in any future discussions.
Comments and replies will be moderated for abusive and offensive language.
