While reviewing projects of the Tourism Department, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the tourism sector was the mainstay of economy of the State and the present State Government was prioritizing the early completion of ongoing projects to facilitate the tourists visiting the State.
He said that the State Government was going to invest Rs. 2415 crore in the tourism sector to create and strengthen and tourism infrastructure in the State in the coming times. The Chief Minister said that development of Shiv Dham in Mandi district would be undertaken with an outlay of Rs. 150.27 crore while beautification of Baba Balak Nath Temple in Hamirpur district would be done at a cost of Rs. 51.70 crore, beautification of Nagrorta Bagwan and Palampur town in Kangra district would be done by spending Rs. 78.09 crore.
He said that wellness centres would be developed at Nadaun in Hamirpur district, Nagrota Bagwan in Kangra district, Kullu and Manali in Kullu district with a total cost of Rs. 280.39 crore. He said that the State Government would allocate Rs. 8.64 crore for the conservation and restoration of Naggar Castle in Kullu district.
Sh. Sukhu said that the State government was also promoting adventure tourism in the State and rafting complex would be constructed at Nadaun while ice skating and roller skating rinks would be established in Manali, Dharamsala and Shimla with an estimated cost of Rs. 163.50 crore to benefit the tourists as well as people of the area.
The Chief Minister said that to offer better air connectivity, the State Government was also setting up heliports in the State and directed to expedite the work on these projects. He also directed tourism department to procure operational authorization from DGCA for hassle-free operations of the helicopter services in the existing heliports including, Sanjauli and Rampur of Shimla district, Kangani Dhar in Mandi district and Baddi heliport in Solan district.
He further said that the State Government was also contemplating to set up drone stations in various parts of the state. He also instructed to ensure seven days flight on Dharamsala-Shimla route. Sh. Sukhu said that tourism and power generation sector was the priority sector for the State Government and it would leave no stone unturned to tap the potential to yield maximum benefits.
He said that due to the earnest efforts of the present State Government, the tourists influx has been increased thereby contributing immensely in the economy of the State. Chairman HPTDC Rughvir Singh Bali also gave valuable suggestions for the improvement in tourism sector.
Principal Secretary Tourism Devesh Kumar, Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Director Tourism Vivek Bhatia, OSD to Chief Minister Gopal Sharma and other senior officer of the Tourism Department attended the meeting.