BY DEBASHREE CHAKRABORTY
KOLKATA | 10 NOVEMBER 2026
In a major push to transform the coastal town of Digha into a world-class tourist destination, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a ₹5 lakh subsidy for entrepreneurs setting up homestays in newly developed tourism zones.
The announcement followed an extensive administrative meeting held at the Digha-Shankarpur Development Board (DSDB) on Monday, where a comprehensive blueprint was laid out to completely revitalize the Digha-Shankarpur circuit.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chief Minister Adhikari stated that a specialized outline is being drafted in coordination with the Tourism, Forest, Irrigation, PWD, Transport, and Environment departments. The plan aims to beautify a 27-kilometer stretch of coastline starting from Udaipur.
To cater to middle-class and lower-middle-class budget travellers, the government plans to develop several new, affordable tourist pockets in areas including Gopalpur, Haripur (Majilapur), Jalpai (Bogra), Dariapur, and Petua.
In a move to revive popular local attractions, the Chief Minister confirmed that Digha’s famous Snake Park, previously a major crowd-puller, will soon be reopened to the public. Additionally, the state government has drawn up plans to upgrade and beautify Amravati Park.
“New tourist hubs will be developed across the coastal belt spanning Digha, Mandarmani, Shankarpur, and Chandpur,” Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said. “To boost local entrepreneurship, a subsidy of ₹5 lakh will be provided to anyone establishing homestays in these upcoming zones,”he said.
To improve regional connectivity and tourist convenience, the state government is also launching dedicated bus services linking Digha to Mandarmani, Tajpur, and the Chandaneshwar temple. Furthermore, in an effort to restore the region’s ecological charm, the Chief Minister announced a massive mangrove plantation drive along the coastline to revive the iconic Jhauban (casuarina forests).
In a significant push to boost local tourism and economic growth, the state government has announced a comprehensive development package for Digha, alongside a strict crackdown on illegal syndicates.
Highlighting a shift in administration, West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari stated that extortion and syndicate operations, which had plagued the region during the previous Trinamool Congress regime, have been completely halted under the current zero-tolerance policy. The Chief Minister has issued strict directives to eliminate these unlawful practices. “Following the change in governance, syndicate rule has ended in Digha. New businesses and hospitality ventures can now apply freely, with full state support,” Adhikari remarked.
To boost rural tourism, the government has announced a financial assistance package of up to ₹5 lakh for entrepreneurs launching home stays. Additionally, infrastructure for the fishing community is set for an upgrade with the construction of a new high-frequency centre.
Tourism and Infrastructure Revamp:
Plans are also underway to revive Digha’s major tourist attractions. The Chief Minister confirmed that the popular Digha Snake Park will be reopened to the public, alongside a major beautification project for Amaravati Park.
To improve connectivity and modernise transport, the government plans to introduce commercial helicopter services for tourists. Environmental and green transit initiatives are also being prioritised, with the setup of compressed natural gas (CNG) stations and dedicated charging infrastructure for electric buses (e-buses).
Coastal Protection and Disaster Management:
Addressing environmental vulnerabilities, approval has been granted for two major projects under the Irrigation Department aimed at preventing coastal erosion in the Chandpur and Shankarpur areas. Furthermore, a dedicated 50-member Disaster Management Group (DMG) cell, comprising state police personnel, will be officially formed in March to handle regional natural disasters.
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