Suvendu Adhikari announces Rs 1,000 crore religious tourism circuit in Bengal

Kolkata: A religious tourism circuit will be developed in West Bengal over the next two years at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Sunday in Kolkata at a programme organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

The Chief Minister also said that no Durga Puja would be inaugurated during Pitrupaksha this year and that Ashtami would be observed as a “no liquor” day in the state.

“In this year's budget, we will create a religious circuit with a budget of around Rs 1,000 crore in the next two years. We want your advice and cooperation on building this circuit,” Adhikari said, seeking suggestions from monks and others present at the programme.


He was speaking at the centenary celebrations of Ashok Singhal, organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to pay tribute to him on his birth centenary.

“No Durga Puja will be inaugurated in Pitrupaksha this year. Liquor will not be available on Ashtami,” Adhikari said, taking a dig at former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the timing of Durga Puja inaugurations and the date of Bijoya Dashami.

“Our government has made it mandatory that on ‘Ashtami’ of Durga Puja, the consumption of liquor will be completely banned. Durga Puja will happen according to the scriptures, following the time mentioned in the Panjika and not according to the time fixed by the Chief Minister,” Adhikari said.

He also criticised Banerjee, alleging that she had changed the timing of Durga Puja-related events and inaugurated pujas ahead of Mahalaya.

“The previous Chief Minister had changed the time of Bijoya Dashami due to the Muharram procession. You must remain alert and united against all these things everywhere,” he said.

Adhikari also announced that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would visit West Bengal on Mahalaya this year and attend celebrations at Eden Gardens.