News

Northeast tourism: INR 800 crore investment to boost lesser-known destinations

As per the latest development, with an expenditure of almost INR 800 crore, the Indian Government has authorised the construction of eight lesser-known tourist spots across six northeastern states in an attempt to lessen crowding and encourage sustainable tourism. These initiatives seek to establish famous locations that will promote economic development in impoverished communities and aid in more equitable distribution of tourists. Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim, and Tripura are the states that will be involved in the projects, wherein the Department of Expenditure (DoE) has also provided green signal to them. The approved projects include creating unique experiences at key locations such as the Nathula border in Sikkim (INR 97.37 crore), the 51 Shakti Peethas Park in Tripura (INR 97.7 crore), Loktak Lake in Manipur (INR 89.48 crore), and Umiam Lake in Shillong (INR 99.27 crore). Other projects include the Assam State Zoo in Guwahati (INR 97.12 crore) and the Siang Eco-retreat in Arunachal Pradesh (INR 46.48 crore). These initiatives are part of a broader vision to spread tourism more evenly across the country, reducing pressure on popular destinations.

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Uber launches Asia’s first shikara ride service on Dal Lake

Uber has introduced a unique water transport service in India, marking its foray into shikara rides on Srinagar's iconic Dal Lake. Officially launched on Monday, December 2, this initiative is not just a first for India but for the entire Asian continent. Travellers can now seamlessly book a traditional shikara ride through the Uber app, merging the convenience of technology with the charm of Kashmir’s most celebrated cultural experience. At present, the service starts modestly with seven shikaras but is set to grow based on tourist response. Each shikara ride is designed for up to four passengers. The ride duration is one hour, and is available daily between 10 am and 5 pm. Visitors can book the Uber Shikara rides 12 hours in advance and up to 15 days ahead. This means a flexible option for travellers planning their Kashmir itineraries. The best part? All rides are priced at government-determined rates, eliminating the usual haggling experience and ensuring fair prices for both tourists and operators. Another great thing about this initiative is that, unlike its other services, Uber has decided not to take a commission from shikara operators. Meaning, 100 percent of the booking amount will go directly to the shikara operators. This move aims to provide a significant boost to the livelihoods of local boat owners.

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India to Launch High-Speed Trains at 280 Kmph with Kavach 5.0 Safety System

India is taking a major leap toward domestic manufacturing of bullet trains and advanced signaling systems, paving the way for future high-speed rail corridors, senior government officials revealed. The planned indigenous high-speed trains will feature cutting-edge technology like Kavach 5.0, the country's most sophisticated automatic train protection system. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project has achieved significant milestones, with land acquisition fully complete and over 320 kilometers of physical infrastructure ready. Following the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government's election victory in Maharashtra, the project has gained momentum, officials said. "Insights from the MAHSR project will be invaluable as India expands its high-speed rail network. The country is now equipped to independently take on more bullet train corridors," an official said. India is preparing to manufacture bullet trains capable of speeds up to 280 kmph, with an operational average of 250 kmph. The initiative will involve improvements to suspension systems (bogies) and significant development of the powertrain and train body, which are expected to take three years to complete.

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Hampi's Vijaya Vittala Temple: Musical Pillars Now Accessible via QR Codes!

As per the latest reports, you will now be able to listen to the music of Vijaya Vittala Temple with just a code. This has become possible with the efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that has devised a solution to protect and improve the experience of visitors to the Vijaya Vittala Temple. The temple, well-known for its melodic stone pillars, now has QR codes on ten of them. This will allow tourists to virtually experience the unique sounds of the pillars without risking damage to the historic monument. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Vijaya Vittala Temple is renowned for its 56 finely carved musical pillars, which are capable of producing melodies when tapped. Earlier, visitors enjoyed this musical experience, which was until 2008, after which the ASI imposed restrictions because of worries about the stones' deterioration. Now, with the new initiative in place, QR codes have been installed on 10 pillars which will enable visitors to scan and listen to 25-second harmonious sound clips, thereby recreating the musical experience digitally. Each pillar has two QR codes, and plans are underway to extend the feature to all 56 pillars. This move aims to avoid crowding at the monument while ensuring the preservation of its heritage. The Karnataka Department of Tourism further intends to create "travellers' nooks" to provide guests with a relaxing and enjoyable exploration experience, these amenities will include drinking water stations, clean restrooms, mother-and-child care centres, and information kiosks.

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Hong Kong Hosts Largest Panda Exhibition with 2,500 Sculptures to Attract Tourists!

Thousands of giant panda sculptures will greet residents and tourists starting Saturday in Hong Kong, where enthusiasm for the bears has grown since two cubs were born in a local theme park. The 2,500 exhibits were showcased in a launch ceremony of PANDA GO! FEST HK, the city's largest panda-themed exhibition, at Hong Kong's airport on Monday. They will be publicly displayed at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, a popular shopping district, this weekend before setting their footprint at three other locations this month. One designated spot is Ocean Park, home to the twin cubs, their parents and two other pandas gifted by Beijing this year. The design of six of the sculptures, made of recycled rubber barrels and resins among other materials, was inspired by these bears. The cubs — whose birth in August made their mother Ying Ying the world’s oldest first-time panda mom — may meet visitors as early as February. In a separate media preview event on Monday, the new pair of Beijing-gifted pandas, An An and Ke Ke, who arrived in September, appeared relaxed in their new home at Ocean Park. An An enjoyed eating bamboo in front of the cameras and Ke Ke climbed on an installation. They are set to meet the public on Sunday.

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New Starbucks in South Korea's Aegibong Peace Ecopark Offers Views of North Korea!

South Korea has got a new and somewhat quirky tourist attraction, and it’s a coffee shop. The newly opened Starbucks in Aegibong Peace Ecopark, South Korea, is where visitors can have their coffee with a unique view–North Korea’s Songaksan mountain and a village in Kaephung county. This coffee shop is located less than a mile from North Korean territory. Aegibong Peace Ecopark is a unique location, and not just any random site. The ecopark is built on a hill that was once the site of fierce battles during the Korean War. The site carries deep historical significance. This ecopark, along with the new coffeeshop, also features pretty gardens, exhibition halls, and a war memorial dedicated to fallen marines. If reports are to go by, the new Starbucks is part of the effort to transform the border zone into a unique and interesting tourist attraction. The observatory experience remains the park's highlight. This is one of the very few chances to get a glimpse of the reclusive North.

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