Bakkhali – Frezerganj Hoteliers Welfare Association
Registered Association of Hotels & Resorts
Reg. No: S/1L – 40272 of 2006-2007
Registered Association of Hotels & Resorts
Bakkhali Frezerganj Hoteliers Welfare Association
The fascinating journey of Bakkhali & Fraserganj tourism
Nearly 100 years ago, Andrew Fraser, the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, explored this beautiful coastal area and the excellent beach previously known as Narayanitala, now famous as Fraserganj. He introduced this destination to Europeans and planned to establish a sanatorium here. Unfortunately, his early return to Europe prevented this dream from becoming reality.
In 1972, Kashi Kanta Maitra, the Honourable Minister of the Government of West Bengal, established the first government tourist lodge named Bakkhali Tourist Lodge on Fradric Island near the Bakkhali creek. Since then, the same sea beach became known by two names — Fraserganj and Bakkhali, located only about 2 km apart.
During the early days, reaching Bakkhali was extremely difficult. A narrow road connected Namkhana to Fraserganj with four small wooden bridges over creeks. Only three buses operated between Namkhana and Fraserganj by the Sundarban Transport Co-Operative Society, and the last 2 km road to Bakkhali was muddy.
The Bakkhali Government Tourist Lodge initially started with only 3 wooden bungalow-style rooms used as dormitories and 12 tents for visitors. Electricity was available only for about 4 hours in the evening through a generator.
At that time, several local residents began hosting tourists in their own homes and huts, providing food and shelter despite limited facilities. Mr. Kalipada Samanta, one of the founders of the association, was among the pioneers. Earlier in the 1960s, Late Satish Sarder also supported visitors in Fraserganj.
The first brick-built lodge with sanitary toilets, Sahana Tourist Lodge, was established in 1979. Its owner, Mr. S.K. Banerjee, later became one of the founder members of the association.
Bakkhali was connected to Fraserganj with a metal road, and bus services extended up to Bakkhali with five buses. Today the route from Kona Expressway (Howrah) to Bakkhali via Joka, Amtala, Sirakol, Diamond Harbour, Kakdwip, and Namkhana is part of National Highway 117.
A major milestone came in 1986 when Bay View Tourist Lodge was established by Late Ramchandra Das of Behala. It was the first modern hotel in Bakkhali with attached bathrooms and its own generator.