Himachal focusing on long-stay tourism, better connectivity: CM

Shimla: Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said that Himachal Pradesh govt was focusing on developing infrastructure to encourage tourist to stay in the state for at least 8 to 10 days.Addressing a programme organised by the Shimla Hotel and Restaurant Association on Sunday evening, he said heliports, tunnels, ropeways and convention centres were being developed to strengthen tourism and connectivity. Sukhu said helicopter services at Palampur, Hamirpur, Dharamshala and Chamba heliports would begin by June this year, while flights from Reckong Peo had also commenced to promote border tourism. He added that the govt has requested the Union civil aviation ministry to allow larger helicopter services in Shimla and is identifying alternative land due to operational issues at the Sanjauli heliport. The CM said Kangra had been declared the tourism capital of the state and land acquisition worth nearly Rs 3,500 crore for Kangra Airport expansion was expected to be completed by June. He added that the Bhubhu-Jot tunnel from Jogindernagar would improve access to Kullu, Manali and Lahaul-Spiti. Sukhu also made mention of the projects, including a Rs 500 crore international convention centre at Tapovan in Dharamshala, an international-standard zoo in Kangra and major investments in hotels, wellness centres and adventure tourism. He said Rs 300 crore would be spent on developing Naina Devi, Jwala Ji and Chintpurni shrines. Sukhu added that tourism could help offset heavy revenue losses suffered by the state after the implementation of goods and services tax (GST). He said that after the implementation of the GST, the state suffered significant tax losses from the Baddi-Barotiwala industrial area and is now receiving only Rs 150-200 crore compared to Rs 4,000 crore earlier.MSID:: 131310504 413 |