VICTOR PALACE

Heritage guesthouse at Victor Palace

A heritage guesthouse is going to be launched in the historic Victor Palace. State tourism minister Mr Manabendra Mukherjee would inaugurate the thoroughly renovated palace on 16 August and a luxurious high-end heritage guesthouse would be roomed there from that day.

Till recent days Victor Palace was known as a dilapidated heritage building situated on the west bank of Sagardighi in Cooch Behar town. It has been renovated with financial assistance extended by the Union government in 2005. Sources said the Centre had sanctioned a fund of about Rs 75-lakh. The picturesque palace was named after Prince Victor Nityendra Narayan. His parents - Maharaja Nripendra Narayan and Maharani Sunity Devi – are considered the founders of modern Cooch Behar.

West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation sources said the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) was entrusted to renovate the palace and they did it within two years. The total cost of thorough renovation was about Rs 50-lakh. After completion of the job the CPWD handed over the palace to the WBTDC. Now, a heritage guesthouse is going to come up there.

A luxurious restaurant and a dining hall have also come up beside the palace for the VVIP guests. Other visitors can also taste delicious foods at the restaurant. WBTDC has spent about Rs 39-lakh to build up this facility. The guesthouse is meant for VVIPs especially foreign tourists. Rich Indians who can afford the cost may also get accommodation here. There would be only four luxurious suits. These are fitted with all modern cosy equipments, plasma TVs and star class bathrooms. Two suits are in the ground floor and two are on the first floor. Charge of a suit may be about Rs 4,500 but the rate may be lesser as introductory offer, sources said.

It is expected that Deccan Charters may launch its air service through Cooch Behar Airport within a few days and it may be helpful for the new heritage guesthouse to get the expected VVIP guests. -Debashis Bhaumik.