Shimla:To revamp the tourism infrastructure in the state, the Himachal government is on the verge of finalising a Rs 350 crore loan with Asian Development Bank (ADB) that would be used for development of various destination and circuits.
“A team of ADB executives are scheduled to visit the state by end of the month for final negotiation of the Rs 350 crore term loans,†sources in the tourism department disclosed. ‘The funds are to used for improving tourism related infrastructure, eco-tourism, garbage disposal systems, community development, adventure tourism and other related sectors,†he said.
A government spokesman said that to harness tourism potential, a 20 year master plan was being prepared for integrated development. Hotel units with over Rs 50 crore investments were being granted clearances by single window authority.
Other than the ADB loan, for developing the Una-Hamirpur-Bilaspur circuit an Rs 7.60 Cr was to be spent, for the Shimla-Theog-Narkanda circuit an amount of Rs 7.15 Cr and for an offbeat tourist circuit Rs 7.50 crore was to be spent, said the official.
In and around Solan Rs 4.20 Cr was being spend to spruce up tourism, in Hamirpur Rs 6 Cr, on the golfing destination of Naldehra Rs 2.69 Cr, on the para-gliding destination of Jogindernagar-Bir-Billing Rs 4.28 Cr, on Chail Rs 4.80 crore, on Sundernagar Rs 4.75 crore and in and around Jubbal-Kotkhai Rs 4.05 Cr would be spent for improving tourism infrastructure, said the government spokesman.
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In a career spanning over two decades through all formats of journalism in Electronic, Print and Online Media, he brings with him enough experience to steer this platform. He lives in Shimla.
