Calcutta, April 3: A city-based developer will set up a chain of international retirement villages across the state.

The houses in these villages — a concept popular in developed countries — are a larger and more refined version of old-age homes.

Rajarhat and Bolpur have been picked to kick off the project, named Aporanhyo, which means afternoon.

“We will engage international chains with expertise in running such projects. I hope to complete the project within two years,” said Samar Nag, managing director of Bengal Shelter Housing Development Ltd.

Bengal Shelter today tied up with the Delhi-based Feedback Ventures, an infrastructure consultancy firm, to prepare a business plan.

Debasish Som, president, group business development (eastern region), Feedback Ventures, said the target customers would be non-resident Indians and Indian citizens from the higher income group.

“The architecture will be such that even a person in a wheelchair would not face any problem while moving around,” Nag said, adding that the residents would be encouraged to take up social work to keep themselves busy.