Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today called on Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at New Delhi and urged for GoI support to develop new and integrated tourist destinations in the state.
He also requested the Union Minister to support the state under special central assistance schemes.
Sukhu said that the Detailed Project Report (DPRs) will be submitted to the GoI in a couple of weeks. He sought support to construct a wellness centre-cum-health resort at Dehra in Kangra district and an integrated tourism complex at Auhar (Bilaspur).
The CM said that the state government was promoting water sports in a big way in the state to attract tourists and added that Pong Dam and Bhakra Dam had huge potential in this regard.
He said that Himachal Pradesh was committed to sustainable development and promotion of tourism in the state.
“The emphasis is being laid on developing infrastructure and improving connectivity to facilitate high-end tourists,” he said, adding that the state was developing heliports to connect all district headquarters besides expanding Kangra airport. He said that the state is also envisaging developing new tourist destinations for the expansion of tourism in the state.
He urged the Union Minister to support and fund the state for constructing golf courses in the state.
Sukhu said that the Pong Dam reservoir had been selected as a tourist destination under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and requested speedy funds for executing the project. He further said that a revised DPR for the development of the Chintpurni temple complex under the Prashad Scheme had been sent to GoI and requested for sanction of funds.
The Union Minister assured to take up the project for constructing iconic tourist centres immediately within one month at an appropriate level and provide speedy clearance. He also assured to support the state in its tourism promotion activities besides releasing funds soon.
Meanwhile, the HP CM also met the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi today. He held detailed discussions about various roads, bridges and ropeway projects of the state with the Union Minister and sought liberal central assistance and support.
The Chief Minister submitted a proposal for constructing four new road projects in the state to the Union Minister. He said that strengthening of the road network was of utmost importance for facilitating tourists and the overall development of the state as the roads were the lifelines of the hill state.
He also suggested that the NHAI should explore the possibility of tunneling wherever feasible as it would reduce the maintenance cost. Sukhu requested for review of the realignment of the Solan-Parwanoo road and urged for considering the preparation of a new detailed project report (DPR), keeping in view many blind spots and curves leading to more accidents.
Apart from this, he also requested for four-laning of left-out portions of the Shimla-Mataur national highway. Gadkari assured full support to the Himachal government.
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