The historic Victor Palace of Coochbehar is going to
get a new look. The century old palace is in a dilapidated state and
will be restored by the Central Public Work Department. A tourist
lodge along with a restaurant and a bar will be set up in the regal
building.
The CPWD’s offices in Siliguri
and Calcutta will take up joint responsibility for the job. According
to CPWD source, central government has provided Rs. 20 lakh. Local
Rajya Sabha MP Tarini Roy has donated another 20 lakh for the projects.
The Tourism minister Mr. Dinesh Dakua has said that he expects the
new tourist lodge to boost tourism of the district.
The palace was the residence of Maharaja Kumar Victor Nipendra
Narayan (1887-1937). He contributed a lot to the development of
this princely state. His education in London was sponsored by the
Queen of Victoria and thus he took the sobriquet of `Victor`. The
façade of the two-storied palace will remain the same while
the interior will take a new look. The work on the palace is expected
to be finished by March 2006.
A suite and two more suites and a conference room will be built
in the ground floor and upstairs respectively. Ananta Roy, zilla
parishad sabhadhipati said, `Main aim of this project is to attract
the high profile tourists and definitely the new look Victor Palace
will be another feather in the tourism crown of our district.`