Brief History

Nearly 100 years ago ANDREW FRESER, Lieutenant Governor of Bengal explore this beautiful place & excellent beach previously known as Narayanitala, Which now famous as Freserganj. Lieutenant Governor Mr. Freser popularize this place among the Europeans and tried to start a sanatorium hear. But due to his early return to Europe his dream was not fulfilled.

In the year 1972 Kashi Kanta Maitra, Honourable Minister of W.B. Govt. start a Govt. Tourist Lodge,  named “Bakkhali Tourist Lodge” at Fradric Island on the eastern bank of a creak named “BAKKHALI”. Thus the same sea beach famous in two names – ‘ FRESERGANJ’ & ‘BAKKHALI’ the physical distance is approx 2 km only between the two spots.

Gradually this place comes one of best sea beaches in India.

At that time (year 1972) there was no proper road or communication to reach Bakkhali Tourist Lodge.  There was narrow road from Namkhana to Freserganj with 4 small wooden bridges over different creaks.

Only 3 buses were plying between the two places- Namkhana & Freserganj by ‘Sundarban Transport Co-Operative Society’. Last 2 km road from Freserganj to Bakkhali was muddy.

The Bakkhali Govt. Tourist Lodge start with only 3 wooden rooms (bungalow type) as dormitory & 12 tent (Double Bed). W.B.S.E.B. supply electricity for 4 hours at evening with a generator set.

At that time a few local residents start to give shelter & food to the tourist in their dwelling hut without any type of toilet. Mr.Kalipada Samanta is one of them and honourable founder member of our association. In sixties decade at Freserganj Late Satish Sarder did the same thing.

One Mr. Banerjee (Ranger of Bakkhali forest) started a privet lodge for tourist with small wooden cottage with eight rooms without any type of floor named ‘Balaka Lodge’. Later in 1987 it was handed over to ‘Paul Chowdhury Brothers’ Mr. Anil Paul Chowdhury is our one the honorable founder member, who made a new building in place of old wooden rooms.

In the year 1979 ‘Sahana Tourist Lodge’ was established. It was first break build lodge with thatched roof & sanitary toilet. Mr. S.K. Banerjee the owner of the lodge is also a founder member of the association.

In the meantime Bakkhali linked with Freserganj by a metal road, and in 1980 Bus route extended up to Bakkhali with 5 buses. Now it is under National Highway Authority & from ‘Kona Express way’  of  Howrah to Bakkhali (Via Joka, Amtala, Sirakol & Diamondhurbour, Kakdwip, Namkhana) it is now called NH 117.

First important turning point of development Bakkhali tourist spot was established of a new modern hotel ‘Bay View Tourist Lodge’ by Late Ramchandre Das of Shibrampur, Behala. The first hotel with attached bath & own generator set in 1986.