The ruins of the church at the hospital bathed in moonlight. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha

Kalimpong, March 1: The DGHC tourism department has drawn up a plan to raise from ruins the leprosy wing of the Kalimpong subdivisional hospital and convert it into a draw for tourists.

The makeover is estimated to cost Rs 65 lakh.

?We had sent a proposal to the tourism department for converting the leprosy wing of the hospital to a park and view point. Talks for accepting the proposal are on and we are awaiting the final nod,? said Bimal Gazmer, the DGHC tourism department area manager.

?The leprosy wing, apart from being a heritage site in itself, offers an excellent view of the Teesta and Sikkim,? he added. ?There are eight cottages in the complex where the patients are housed at present. We will rehabilitate them and fumigate the area before opening it for tourists.?

The Sarva Dharma Mandir and the church, which had been built by the missionaries for the leprosy patients are heritage structures. They are in a dilapidated condition, but will be a top draw for tourists once they are renovated, Gazmer said.

The hospital complex, which included the subdivisional hospital, tuberculosis ward and leprosy hospital, was earlier known as the Chartis Hospital.

It was run by Scottish missionaries. It was handed over to the West Bengal government in 1973 and later transferred to the DGHC health department.

According to the Kalimpong Engineering Division (KED), the plan of converting it into a tourist spot will be undertaken in two phases.

?The first phase of the plan includes the setting up of a parking space, renovating the church and the Sarva Dharma Mandir, landscaping of the area and also constructing shades for tourists to sit in and enjoy the view. We also have plans to construct a one-kilometer long approach road to Tirpai,? said KED assistant engineer Yogesh Pradhan. ?We will spend around Rs 65 lakh on the project. An estimated Rs 45 lakh will be used during the first phase. In the second phase, we will build new cottages for tourists.?