An artisan works on an ektara at the expo. A Telegraph picture

Siliguri, Dec. 10: The town is all set to have its own Delhi Haat soon.

The cottage and small scale industries department is planning to set up a permanent display-cum-sales “village”, spread over 100 acres, in or near Siliguri, much like the handicraft market in the country’s capital.

Cottage and small scale industries minister Manab Mukherjee said the decision was prompted by the rapid urbanisation of Siliguri. “People are building or purchasing new flats and houses here every day. Since they form a substantial portion of our clientele, buying various types of handicrafts, we will open a permanent centre here,” he said.

Mukherjee was here yesterday to inaugurate the sixth West Bengal Handicrafts Expo, in which 600 artisans are selling their wares from 29 stalls set up in the Kanchenjunga mela ground. The fair will continue till December 25.

The Siliguri centre, the minister said, would be known as Urban Haat with permanent stalls displaying every handicraft item made in the state. “We have asked for about 100 acres from Asokda (state urban development minister Asok Bhattacharya) and Bikashda (Bikash Ghosh, mayor, Siliguri Municipal Corporation). Work will start as soon as the land is allocated,” he added.

Bhattacharya promised to cooperate. “We will definitely try to get the land for the proposed haat. The place is sure to become another tourist destination in this part of the state,” he said.

Mukherjee said his government was working to promote not only heavy industries, but also small scale and cottage industries. “A specific strategy is being worked out to make state-made handicrafts popular in the country and overseas. It is part of the policy to generate employment in the non-agricultural sector,” he added.