Denizens of Jharkhand need not worry anymore if they are willing to enquire about tourist spots of the State and book the same for tour as the State Tourist Information Centre (TIC) reformed in the Paryatan Bhawan this week has transformed itself into public-friendly help desk. This centre was known to be dysfunctional since its establishment few years back.
“We reconstituted on December 30 and have been receiving around 100 to 150 calls everyday. The full fledged beginning of this centre will take sometime. As of now we are pleased that people within the State and from West Bengal are frequently calling us. About 200 bookings are done in these five days. Infact, a VVIP party from Kolkata has booked and assured to rope in large number of tourists from their place if their trip turns out to be interesting,” a member in-charge of this TIC said on the condition of anonymity.
According to the officials of State Tourism department, Netarhat and Betla are the most preferred tourist spots by tourists of West Bengal as well as locals in the recent scenario. The falls neighbouring state capital like Hundru, Jonha and Dassam are also being booked at large numbers, claimed official sources.
The member in-charge said, “The entire post-booking management is dealt by our one and only authorised agent. At times our Tourism Secretary Sajal Chakraborty himself entertains many calls. This public interest is proving fruitful to our renaissance.”
The process of this booking is usually convenient if tourists avail it from Ranchi itself. “Majority of the tourists are from West Bengal. In such condition we cannot insist them to come here. So, we are providing the accommodation and other facilities according to their convenience. January month seems to be completely booked. We are requesting many clients to postpone their trip plan, if possible,” added the member. Other members at this centre informed that TIC was earlier working through an ‘outsourcing unit’ because of which it was less reachable to the mass.
Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director Sunil Kumar mentioned, “Noticing this positive response we have decided to begin toll free numbers for TIC by the end of this month. BSNl is supposed to take the responsibility. Presently, members are getting calls on the mobile numbers displayed by us in various media outlets round the clock.”