Raichak

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Raichak| type = city | latd = 22.10| longd =88.07
locator_position = right | state_name = West Bengal
district = South 24 Parganas
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population_as_of = 2001
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Raichak ( _bn. রায়চক) is a small town in South 24 Parganas district of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located on the bank of the Hooghly river, some 50 km south of Kolkata. It is about 15 km from Diamond Harbour.

History

The British had built a fort at Raichak, which is on a river bend, in the 18th century, for guarding against pirates. [cite web | url = http://www.indiatravelite.com/weekendgateway/raichak.htm | title = Weekend gateway| accessdate = 2007-09-06 | last = | first = | work =Raichak | publisher = indiatravelite.com]

Economy

Tourism

The fort gradually fell into ruins and was converted to a lively 5-star hotel, Radisson Fort. The hotel has a scenic view of the river. Those who are more adventurous can make also use the Raichak jetty or the nearby Nurpur jetty and take a ferry across the river to go to Kukrahati in East Midnapore district or Gadiara in Howrah district.

Proposed bridge

The proposal for a bridge across the Hooghly River from Raichak to Kukrahati, which will connect Haldia to Kolkata, has been hanging fire for many years. In earlier years, it was thought that the 2 km long cable bridge costing over Rs. 3,000 crore would be built with Malaysian support. [cite web | url = http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=23&id=40659&usrsess=1 | title = Who will help Haldia make this highway? | accessdate = 2007-09-06 | last = | first = | work = | publisher = "The Statesman", 21 May 2003] Thereafter, the Japanese came into the picture. [cite web | url = http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=6&id=146570&usrsess=1 | title = Bridge feasibility study next month| accessdate = 2007-09-06 | last = | first = | work = | publisher = "The Statesman", 7 June 2006] Subsequently, the Japanese were replaced by the Indonesian Salim Group. [cite web | url = http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=3&id=155386&usrsess=1| title = Bridge of dreams | accessdate = 2007-09-06 | last = | first = | work = Editorial | publisher = "The Statesman", 29 August 2006] [cite web | url = http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1882697.cms | title = Will WB lose its largest FDI investor? | accessdate = 2007-09-06 | last = | first = | work = | publisher = "The Economic Times", 12 August 2006] The construction of the Eastern Link Highway, linking Barasat with Raichak, which would be 100 km long and 100 m wide and spread over 2,500 acres, is also on the anvil. The road will ultimately terminate at Nandigram. The projects would be implemented by New Kolkata International Development Private Ltd, a special purpose company that has been promoted by the Salim Group, the Universal Success Group and Unitech. [cite web | url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/08/01/stories/2006080104042100.htm
title = Bengal inks pact with Indonesian group | accessdate = 2007-09-06 | last = | first = | work = | publisher = "The Hindu Business Line", 1 August 2006]

References

ee also