Tourism a key sector for revenue generation; state govt enhancing the infrastructure: Himachal CM

The state government has set a deadline of December 15, 2023, for completing Detailed Project Reports for heliports in Rakkar, Palampur, and Sultanpur. Besides setting up a modern heliport near Shimla, promotion of tea tourism is also on the cards. CM Sukhvind Singh Sukhu also directed to accord sanctions to the projects related to green industry o priority and said 90 applications have been received for e-taxi. Tourism is the key sector for revenue generation and the State Government is enhancing the tourism infrastructure in the State so as to attract more tourists, said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He set a deadline of December 15, 2023, for completing Detailed Project Reports for heliports in Rakkar, Palampur, and Sultanpur. Additionally, a modern heliport near Shimla is in the plans, he revealed. Additionally, the state government is also mulling to promote tea tourism. He also directed to accord sanctions to the projects related to green industry on priority and reviewed the progress in this direction and took feedback on the green initiatives, as announced in his maiden budget speech. He said that as of now, 90 applications have been received for etaxi. Charging infrastructure was being developed in a phased manner and necessary instructions were issued to expedite the construction of proposed e-charging stations, according to the minister. operations. He said that INR 100 crore for Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojna and INR 20 crore for road repairs post a recent disaster have been allocated by the government. Under the INR 680 crore Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-up Yojna, local youth will receive subsidies, fostering self-reliance and self-employment. An integrated agriculture and fisheries project is set to launch under Startup Yojna, providing substantial self-employment opportunities in the state, stated Sukhu.on January 14 till the consecration of Ramlala on January 22, 2024. The state culture department is making the necessary preparations for this, he said. For this, programmes will be presented by local artists through the Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture Council established in every district, Singh added.The expenditure of this event will be borne by the Tourism and Culture Department, he said. The minister said that in every district, through the District Tourism and Culture Council, local artists will continuously recite Ramcharitmanas and Hanuman Chalisa from Makar Sankranti on January 14 till the consecration of Ramlala on January 22, 2024.