Chief MinisterVirbhadra Singh said that Himachal Pradesh had vast potential for tourism promotion and efforts were being made to develop various areas from tourism point of view. He was addressing a large gathering at Manali today after inaugurating the National Level Winter Carnival of Manali. Earlier, the Chief Minister dedicated and performed foundation stone ceremonies of various projects worth crores of rupees.Virbhadra Singh said that environment conservation would was main focus of the State Government along-with promotion of tourism. He said that Manali and its surrounding areas were full of natural beauty and efforts would be made for further development of these areas for tourism activities by providing basic amenities adding that it would be ensured that the natural beauty of the area was kept intact. He said that a bridge would be constructed at Nehru Kund to streamline the traffic in and around Manali town and monetary provision would be made for constructing a stadium for organizing the Winter Carnival.
He announced to upgrade High School Fojal to Government Senior Secondary School and sanctioned Rs. two lakh for providing furniture and other facilities for Press Club, Manali. He announced to open Hamta road for tourists and to link this area with Adi Hydro Project for resolving the electricity problem of Manali area.Earlier, the Chief Minister performed the foundation stone ceremony of a bridge at 17 Miles near Manali to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 7.73 crore. He also inaugurated the Sahara Old Age Home at Alaeu village and Rest House of Zila Parishad at Manali constructed at a cost of Rs. 63 lakh and Conference Hall of Press Club Manali constructed at a cost of Rs. 6.40 lakh. He laid the foundation stone of Modern Fire Station at Manali to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.57 lakh.
Virbhadra Singh paid obeisance at Hadimba Devi Temple and flagged off the cultural troupes of various States, tableaus of local Mahila Mandals and troupes of other organizations depicting cultural heritage.Chief Minister lauded the efforts of Adarsh educational and social welfare Samiti for opening Old Age Home at Aleau and said that State Government was committed for welfare and honour of senior citizens. He added that every possible assistance would be provided to this Old Age Home. Shri Roop Singh Negi, Chairman, Nagar Parishad, Manali welcomed the Chief Minister. MLAs Shri Karan Singh, Shri Maheshwar Singh, Spokesman, PCC Shri Bhuvneshwar Gaur and District Congress President Shri Budhi Singh Thakur also spoke on the occasion. Forest Minister Shri Thakur Singh Bharmauri, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Shri Anil Sharma, Former Minister Shri Satya Prakash Thakur, Chairman Zila Parishad, Shri Hari Chand Sharma, Chairman, Wool Federation Shri Raghubir Singh Thakur, PCC General Secretary Shri Sunder Singh Thakur, President Hotelier’s Association Manali Shri Anup Thakur and prominent people of the town were present on the occasion.