Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, speaking from New Delhi, virtually dedicated eight major development projects to the people of Bilaspur district. Among these were the launch of water sports activities at Kol Dam and the inauguration of a 110-kilowatt rooftop solar power plant at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, built at a cost of ₹70 lakh.
This initiative marks the establishment of Himachal’s first Green DC Office. Other projects included the City Livelihood Centre constructed at a cost of ₹4.5 crore, four Space Labs costing ₹40 lakh, and a Model Career Centre developed at a cost of ₹2.5 crore.
The Chief Minister stated that these projects reflect the government's commitment to the all-round development of the district. He emphasized that the introduction of water-based adventure tourism in the Gobind Sagar Lake region would not only promote Bilaspur as a tourism destination but also create new employment opportunities for local youth.
Stressing the importance of tourism as the highest revenue-generating sector for the state, he said that a significant portion of the state's GST income is derived from this industry. The state government's vision, he noted, is to position Himachal Pradesh as the Tourist Capital of India.
He further added that the government is working on a comprehensive tourism promotion package that will integrate various forms of tourism, including religious, eco, water, nature, and health tourism, to attract both domestic and international tourists. As part of a ₹2,400 crore plan, new tourist destinations will be developed, with wellness centres being established in the first phase.
Private sector investments are being encouraged for the construction of 200 hotels, ranging from 3-star to 7-star categories, equipped with international-standard wellness and health facilities to deliver premium tourist experiences.
The Chief Minister also highlighted plans to promote religious and eco-tourism on a large scale, with ₹100 crore allocated for upgrading facilities at Shree Naina Devi ji and ₹200 crore for constructing a convention centre in Dharamshala.
He stated that Himachal Pradesh will soon emerge as a hub for water tourism, with facilities like cruise boats, shikaras, houseboats, jet skis, motorboats, and water scooters being developed in Govind Sagar Lake and other water bodies across the state.
These developments are expected to significantly enhance water sports tourism and provide employment for the local population. Additionally, the government plans to offer a 5 percent interest subvention on loans taken by Himachali youth for constructing hotels and homestays.
Also Read: HP to launch cruise in Gobind Sagar Lake
Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his forward-looking vision for Bilaspur’s development.
He highlighted the significance of the Green DC Office, with its rooftop solar power plant capable of generating an average of 440 units of electricity daily, translating to approximately 13,200 units monthly and saving nearly ₹10 lakh annually in electricity bills. He noted that this initiative sets an example in promoting green energy and government building sustainability.
He also spoke about the City Livelihood Centre in Bilaspur, built under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission, which aims to connect people with self-employment, skill training, and wage employment opportunities.
Deputy Commissioner Abid Hussain Sadiq remarked that the newly launched projects would become key milestones in advancing tourism, environmental sustainability, and employment generation in Bilaspur.
The virtual inauguration was attended by several prominent figures including Sunder Singh Thakur, MLA and former CPS, former Minister Ram Lal Thakur, former MLAs Tilak Raj and Bambar Thakur, as well as public representatives, party leaders, and senior government officials.
Also Read: Himachal’s Bilaspur to boost tourism with cruises, shikaras
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