Reviews various projects of tourism department
Punjab Newsline, Shimla-
While reviewing the various ongoing tourism projects of Tourism department here today, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that land awards amounting to Rs. 460 crore has been released and disbursed to the beneficiaries towards land acquisition for the expansion of Kangra airport, while another Rs. 1899 crore awards are ready for disbursement.
He said that expansion of Kangra airport is of paramount importance as it will bolster the economy of not only Kangra district but the adjoining districts. It will go a long way in promoting tourism activities in this region thereby generating employment and self employment opportunities to the local youth. He said that the expansion of this airport would also attract high end tourists to the area.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the ongoing project of setting up heliports across the State and directed to accelerate the construction work. The operational authorization for Sanjauli and Rampur Bushair heliports have been received from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and directed that operations should commence soon after completing the remaining codal formalities.
He also reviewed the ongoing construction work of other heliports being set up at Kagnidhdar in Mandi district, Rakkar and Palampur in Kangra district, Sultanpur in Kullu district, Reckongpeo in Kinnaur district and Jaskot in Hamirpur district and instructed the officers to complete these projects by next year. He said that better air connectivity for the tourists will boost tourism in these areas. He asked that the new routes for operation of the helicopters should be identified and made operational to facilitate the tourists. He said that the tourism is the mainstay in the economy of the State and the present State Government was promoting tourism in a big way.
Sukhu directed to expedite the construction work of Auhar tourist complex in Bilaspur district as 46 percent of work has been completed so far. He also reviewed various tourism projects being constructed with ADB funding and instructed to accelerate the construction work of these projects. Principal Secretary, Tourism Devesh Kumar, Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Director of Tourism Vivek Bhatia and other senior officers attended the meeting.