The GTA chief inaugurated a

 tourist point at Jamuni

 (in picture by Suman Tamang) tion

TT;Vivek Chhetri;onTuesday where an artificial lake has been due for boating. “We decided to inaugurate the boating facility as the New Year has started. So far this place had been neglected but we will develop it into a major tourist attraction as this will bring employment opportunities in the region,” said Bimal Gurung, the chief executive of the GTA. He did a puja on the bank of the lake. Six boats, three four seaters and three two seaters were introduced at the facility today. A half-an-hour ride will cost Rs 50 while the charges for a four seater is Rs 80. Jamuni which is 15km from Darjeeling has already had its share of fame with the bridge across the chhota Rangit river featuring in Anurag Basu’s Barfi!. “Within one and a half years, we will have a waterkingdom, a garden as seen in various Mughal palaces, children’s park, cafeterias and other tourist attractions,” said Gurung. Administrative sources said the total fund allocated for the development of tourism at Jamuni was Rs 7.5 crore. “We are looking at getting an additional Rs 2.6 crore for this place,” said a GTA official.