‘HP to invest Rs 2,415 cr for tourism’

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government, on Monday, decided to give a new push to ambitious infrastructure projects and the development of new facilities designed to attract tourists throughout all seasons.

While reviewing projects of the tourism department, including a mega ADB-funded project, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said that as the tourism sector was the mainstay of the economy of the state, the state government was prioritising the early completion of ongoing projects to facilitate the tourists visiting the state. He proposed an investment of Rs 2415 crore in the tourism sector to create and strengthen tourism infrastructure in the state in the coming times.

In the meeting, Chief Minister Sukhu unveiled a series of landmark tourism initiatives, beginning with the much-anticipated ‘Shiv Dham’ project in Mandi, which will be developed with an investment of Rs. 150.27 crore.

Additionally, the transformation of the Baba Balak Nath Temple in Hamirpur district is set to receive Rs. 51.70 crore for beautification. Furthermore, the towns of Nagrota Bagwan and Palampur in Kangra district will undergo significant enhancements with a combined expenditure of Rs. 78.09 crore, reflecting the state’s commitment to bolstering tourism infrastructure across diverse regions. He said that wellness centres would be developed at Nadaun in Hamirpur district, Nagrota Bagwan in Kangra district, Kullu and Manali in Kullu district with a total cost of Rs 280.39 crore. He said that the state government would allocate Rs 8.64 crore for the conservation and restoration of Naggar Castle in Kullu district.

The government was also promoting adventure tourism and rafting complex would be constructed at Nadaun while ice skating and roller skating rinks would be established in Manali, Dharamsala and Shimla with an estimated cost of Rs 163.50 crore.