City of Joy to have 'Eye' like London

Kolkata: Kolkata, once the capital of British India, is set to get a giant wheel on the lines of 'London Eye' which would give tourists a bird's eye view of the city.

To be set up on the Hooghly riverfront, the giant wheel to be known as 'Kolkata Eye' would have a diameter of 150 to 180 metres with more than 30 viewing cabins. It will accommodate more than 500 people per revolution.

"The Giant Wheel will come up on the banks of the river near the second Hooghly bridge," West Bengal Tourism Minister Rachpal Singh said here.

"The idea is to set up the Great Kolkata Wheel as an iconic structure for attracting tourists to the city," Singh said.

Like the London Eye on the banks of the Thames in the British capital, a ride on the Kolkata Wheel is likely to be for around 30 minutes per revolution and would give tourists a great view of the River Hooghly, the famous Howrah Bridge, the lush green Kolkata Maidan and beyond that the city skyline.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had promised to give Kolkata, which was the capital of British-ruled India till 1911, an image makeover on the lines of London and the setting up of the Giant Wheel and beautification of the river front are part of her plans.

"The process for setting up the Kolkata Eye has already started and the project will be completed as soon as possible," Singh said.

"We have invited expression of interest from reputed firms who are willing to undertake the project, following which we will call for technical and financial bid," he said.

Being set up with central government's assistance under the Ministry of Tourism's large revenue generating scheme, it is likely to be a major attraction for tourists, both domestic and foreign, he said.

Apart from the Giant Wheel, the Department of Tourism has embarked on a project to augment tourism facilities along the river.

"We will set up an international class marina with a yacht club to boot on the Kolkata-side of the riverfront," the Tourism Minister said, adding the intention was to open up a new arena in the tourism sector in the state and attract national and international tourists to Kolkata.

The facilities would include boating centre with a marina for private yacht parking, provision for water sports activity like canoing, sailing, rowing, angling, art centre and public promenades with food beverage areas, sources in the tourism department said.