Chief Secretary Dr. Shrikant Baldi reviewed the progress of important tourist projects of Himachal Pradesh here today. During the review meeting he said that these tourism projects are top priority of the State Government and must be completed within stipulated time. The Chief Secretary was apprised of the progress status of the various ongoing tourism projects in the State by the concerned authorities.
Dr. Baldi said that the Government has sanctioned development works worth Rs. 18.18 crore for development of Janjehli area and under ‘Nai Raahein Nai Manzilein’ scheme the Government has approved Rs. 4.69 crore for Pong area out of which an amount of Rs. 1.69 crore has been spent on development of Janjehli area and Rs. 50 lakhs have been spent on development of Pong area. He said that the Government has released Rs. 3.72 crore for Larji reservoir and water sports activities during the last financial year. He said that for the development of Pong area the Government has approved project work of Rs. 6.59 crore out of which Rs. 55 lakh for purchase of jetties and house boats for Pong area have been released and Rs. 1.35 crore for construction of Interpretation Centre at Pong Dam have also been released.
He said that a Detail Project Report (DPR) of Rs. 100 crore of Spiritual Circuit is being prepared by HPTDC and directed the officers to prepare the DPR as per requirement of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. During the meeting he also reviewed the progress work of Bantony Castle, Shimla. He directed the authorities of Kullu and Lahaul Spiti district to provide land for development of tourist facility at Rohtang tunnel and Sissu so that the tourist facility could be set up at these places at the earliest.
He also directed the authorities to make it mandatory to register the trekkers going for various treks under Miscellaneous Adventure Activity Rule and the authorized agency to provide a GPS band to monitor the trekkers. He also reviewed the progress work of various ropeways and directed the concerned authorities of various ropeways to fasten the pace of work and complete the projects at the earliest.
Additional Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singh, Principal Secretary Prabodh Sexena, Director Tourism Yunus and other senior officers of the state government were also present in the meeting.
