Shimla: Pushing for improving the tourism infrastructure in the state, the Himachal Pradesh government has floated tenders with an outlay of Rs 696.47 crores spread across 11 projects.
After presiding over a meeting of the tourism department on Tuesday evening Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, “tourism is a key sector for our economy and it was essential to enhance the visiting tourist by putting in place new infrastructure.”
The projects for which tender offers have been invited include one Ice Skating Rink cum Roller Skating Rink at Dharamshala and another one at Shimla. Where the cost of the Dharamshala rink is projected at Rs. 39.51 crore, the one at Shimla is estimated at Rs. 34.85 crore.
Other projects that the tourism department is seeking to establish include is a Convention Centre at Dharamshala for which an outlay of Rs. 161.91 crore has been put aside, beautification of Palampur and Nagrota Bagwan will be done at cost Rs. 95.50 crore, wellness centre to be constructed at Nadaun with an outlay of Rs. 91.42 crore, tourist facilities at Baba Balaknath Deothsidh shrine in Hamirpur district at a cost of Rs. 65.32 crore, a rafting water sport complex at Nadaun to developed with an outlay of Rs. 64 crore, construction of wellness centre at Banuti in district Shimla at Rs. 58.37 crore, wellness centre at Manali with an approximate budget of Rs. 45.25 crore, Wellness Centre at Kullu with an outlay Rs. 27.76 crore and restoration of Naggar Castle in Kullu district to be done at a cost of Rs. 11.57 crore.
State Government has declared Kangra district as a Tourism Capital of the State and necessary tourism infrastructure was being created to facilitate the visitors. The Pong Dam would be transformed into an internationally renowned ‘birders paradise’ and would become a national centre for excellence in water sports. The Kangra airport was being expanded which will go a long way in attracting high end tourists to this region, stated Sh. Sukhu
The Chief Minister informed that the number of tourists visiting Himachal Pradesh have significantly increased touching 1.13 crore uptill July, 2024.
Vice Chairman H.P. Tourism Development Board R.S. Bali, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sunder Singh Thakur, Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar, Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Director Tourism Mansi Sahay, Managing Director HPTDC Rajiv Kumar and other senior officers attended the meeting.
