With only a few weeks left before his term ends, British Deputy High Commissioner to Eastern India Simon Wilson slammed the West Bengal government for not investing in tourism and infrastructure.

At an interactive session organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on Monday, Wilson referred the Lok Sabha election results as a 360 degree change in the political dynamics of the state and expressed confidence that the decisive verdict will help the new government at the Centre for implementing policies without interruptions.

“It has been frustrating at times during the last few years to see the government in Delhi keen to push through a growth agenda only to be stifled by bickering within a fractured coalition. However, with a more cohesive coalition and partners who are unlikely to have radically divergent idealistic outlooks we expect better implementation of policies,” Wilson said.

Referring to West Bengal he said: “The state needs to work on infrastructure, tourism and its port to attract investment, which is crucial in the next few years.”

According to Wilson, while states like Orissa are improvising on their port facilities, the condition of Haldia port remains stagnant.

“Haldia is dying while the ports of the neighbouring state Orissa are booming. The problem of dredging has long been identified. The chief minister has also spoken on these issues. But nothing is being done. If Haldia port dies, Kolkata will be in a bad shape,” he said.

With the unique history that the city has, Wilson claimed that the government has failed to take measures to push in mass tourism.

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