Emphasising that the proposed deep sea port near the Sagar Island and tourism plans would bring in development in the Sunderbans, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Thursday the setting up of a task force for the region.
Addressing a public rally at Sagar Island she said her government would soon appoint a technical expert for promoting tourism in the region.
The Chief Minister who arrived at the island in a hovercraft with few prominent businessmen toured different beaches and also visited the sacred Kapil Muni temple and offered prayers.
It is on the beach adjoining this temple that lakhs of devotees descend every year during Makar Sankranti to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Hooghly and the sea.
"When I visited the temple about two years ago it was in ruins. Now the picture is completely changed," Ms Banerjee said.
The Chief Minister also announced that a major tourism project would be inaugurated at Jharkhali in Sunderbans next month where tourists could witness Royal Bengal Tigers in a 100-acre facility.
On the proposed deep sea port she said the Rs 12,000 crore project will not only provide jobs to the youth but also help in infrastructure upgradation.
Ms Banerjee also ruled out fears of land acquisition owing to the project and said that the port will come up in the sea.
The visit was also unique as a number of industrialists accompanied the Chief Minister, a majority of whom will remain with her on the island till October 31.
During the day the State government also made a presentation to the industrialists on tourism potential in the region.
While addressing the gathering Ms Banerjee also vowed for religious harmony among different communities and said those who create any divide will cease to exist.
