Kolkata, Oct. 4 -- The West Bengal government is going to set up a new Paschim Banga Bhawan (West Bengal Bhawan) in the historic Bangali Tola enclave of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. The primary goal is to provide secure, affordable accommodation and seamless amenities for pilgrims, tourists, and elderly people traveling from West Bengal to Kashi (Varanasi).

The state guest house will be built on land belonging to the Cooch Behar Debuttar Trust. The site sits right in the heart of Bangali Tola, a centuries-old neighborhood adjacent to the Dashashwamedh Ghat known for its rich Bengali heritage and vibrant cultural roots.

Senior officials of the West Bengal Tourism department held a meeting with their counterparts in the Varanasi district administration. Rajya Sabha MP and state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya and the party's national general secretary Sunil Bansal inspected the site, the current condition of the land, and examined the project's viability. Besides the proposed West Bengal Bhawan complex, the initiative includes the comprehensive renovation and preservation of the traditional Kali Temple and several other historic temples located on the trust property.

According to sources, the project proposal has already been submitted to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for his clearance. The project will feature a designated cultural center aimed at preserving regional heritage and serving as a community hub. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee initially envisioned the concept for this state property

to offer a dedicated space for state residents visiting the holy city.

After BJP came to power in West Bengal, Bhattacharrya took the initiative. A discussion was held with the District Magistrate of Cooch Behar. Since the project is in the Prime Minister's constituency of Varanasi, Samik Bhattacharya wrote a letter to Narendra Modi informing him about the matter. The Prime Minister also agreed to take the initiative in this regard. It was learnt that Power Grid Corporation of India Limited will provide funds under its CSR project to build Paschim Banga Bhawan and a cultural center on that land in Kalibari. This means there will be no financial pressure on the state's exchequer. Experts from Benaras Hindu University will also be consulted for carrying out the project, sources said.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.