Kolkata: She had promised to turn Kolkata into London after being sworn in as chief minister in 2011.

Now in the fifth year of power, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee will make her maiden visit to the city to understand the development of London along the banks of the River Thames, which she wants to emulate in Kolkata in the near future.

Along with Banerjee a large delegation of 66 people is expected to travel on July 26, including Kolkata mayor Sovan Chatterjee, police commissioner Surajit Kar Purkayastha, finance minister Amit Mitra, parliamentarians Derek O’ Brian and Sugata Basu, along with industrialist Sanjeev Goenka, Harsh Neotia, Jyotsna Suri, Y.C. Deveshwar, Adi Godrej, Y.K. Modi and Sumit Majumdar among others.

Insiders say the primary focus of the visit is to learn more about urban development and project the state as an investment destination among investors in the United Kingdom.

Banerjee’s visit is reciprocation to the invitation that British Prime Minister David Cameron personally offered during his visit to the city in November 2013.

Cameron during his visit had said, “Kolkata is growing in size and urban development will be key to its sustainability. My country is proved its efficiency in that area and Kolkata can be developed along the banks of the river Hoogly.”

“Banerjee was invited to Britain by PM Cameron when the two leaders met in Kolkata in November 2013. She was again invited by UK India Business Council (UKIBC) chief Patricia Hewitt. Subsequently, the UK sent another invitation to Banerjee through the India minister in the UK foreign office Hugo Swire. Banerjee didn’t confirm the visit then because Britain was going to the polls. We have asked the Indian High Commission in London to speak with the foreign office about a Banerjee-Cameron summit,” an official of the chief minister’s office said.

“Significant areas of interest are of urban regeneration and waterfront development. London’s Docklands, the Albert Dock in Liverpool and Leith in Edinburgh are primary examples of waterfront regeneration experiences from which West Bengal can benefit. Other sectors such as health care, education, information technology, and petrochemicals can be considered for discussions”.

It is still uncertain whether Banerjee will meet Cameron, as the British premier is said to be going on a family holiday to Portugal from 27 July. However, she will become the first chief minister from an Indian state to get an official reception at the Buckingham Palace.

The Duke of York — Prince Andrew — the second son of the Queen will host an evening tea and engage in an hourlong one-to-one meeting with Banerjee at the house of the monarch of United Kingdom.

The reception will take place at 4pm on July 27. The speaker of the House of Lords Baroness D’Souza, will also attend the reception.

During Banerjee’s visit, a grand event will be also organised at the famous Natural History Event, where artists from West Bengal will participate. This is the first time such a show has been organised to exhibit West Bengal as a tourist and investment destination.

There is considerable interest among the people regarding Banerjee’s visit to London. The state opposition has termed it a state sponsored holiday that Banerjee will undertake along with her chosen few.

“What is the need for Kolkata’s police commissioner to visit along with her? Will he arrest those who will not show interest in investing in West Bengal,” BJP legislator Samik Bhattachrayya had said in the state legislative assembly.