Unexplored destinations to be connected with highways to boost tourism in Himachal: CM Sukhu

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], October 23 (ANI): Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said that unexplored tourist locations are being connected with highways to facilitate tourists and special emphasis is also being placed on developing infrastructure to boost tourism in the state.
According to an official statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), "CM Sukhu performed the 'Bhoomi Pujan' of Mcleodganj-Bhagsunag-Tau Chaola road and Hiru Dasalan-Tamru Chaola road that is to be constructed at a cost of Rs 713 lakh and Rs 612 lakh respectively at Indrunag Tau Chaola near Dharamshala on Monday."
On the occasion, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that nature has blessed Himachal with panoramic beauty which attracts tourists from across the world.
The Chief Minister said that the Himachal government was taking effective steps to develop Kangra district as a tourism capital. He also added that many tourism projects were afoot to fulfil the resolve of making Kangra district the tourism capital of the State, said the release.
CM Sukhu further said that work on an international-level convention centre in Dharamshala, Zoological Park in Bankhandi, Old Age Wellness Resort and High-End Fountain in Nagrota Bagwan and the proposed tourism village would be started soon.
In addition to these, the ice skating and roller skating rink in Narghota, golf course in Paragpur, Dhauladhar Biodiversity Park in Dharamshala, wedding Resort in Mainjha of Palampur and construction of Heliport will also start soon.
The Chief Minister said that the state Government has identified 11 eco-tourism sites in forest areas of the state including Swar, Saurabh Van Vihar, Neugal Park, and Bir-Billing in the Palampur forest division of Kangra district.
He added that each eco-tourism park would be developed in a one-hectare area. He further also mentioned that a reserve price has been fixed for these sites to be developed and operated through outsourcing, said the release.
He said that eco-tourism would encourage tourism activities in the State immensely which would go a long way in creating employment and self-employment opportunities for the local people thereby boosting the economy of the area, it said.
Earlier, cheques of Rs one lakh each were presented to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu towards Chief Minister's Relief Fund by the Lions Club and Rotary Club, Dharamshala, said the release.
MLA Sudhir Sharma, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Sunil Sharma, Chairman, State Agricultural Cooperative Bank Sanjay Chauhan, Member BoD State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Punit Malli, former MLA Surender Kaku, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Nipun Jindal, Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri and prominent persons were also present on the occasion. (ANI)