Tenders invited for 11 tourism projects to cost Rs. 696.50 crore

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that 11 projects with an outlay of Rs. 696.47 crore were underway to give a fillip to the tourism sector in the State. While presiding over a meeting of Tourism Department here last evening, he said that tenders have been invited for all these eleven projects, aiming to enhance the influx of tourists in the State.
"Tourism is a key sector for our economy supporting livelihood of thousands of families directly or indirectly", he said adding that it was hence essential to enhance the overall tourism experiences in the State and create new infrastructure.  
It was briefed in the meeting that the projects  include Convention Centre at Dharamshala, which was being constructed with an outlay of Rs. 161.91 crore, beautification of Palampur and Nagrota Bagwan will be done at cost Rs. 95.50 crore, wellness centre to be constructed at Nadaun with an outlay of Rs. 91.42 crore, tourist facilities at Baba Balaknath Deothsidh in Hamirpur district at a cost of Rs. 65.32 crore, rafting complex at Nadaun to developed with an outlay of Rs. 64 crore, construction of wellness centre at Banuti in district Shimla at Rs. 58.37 crore, wellness centre at Manali with an approximate budget of Rs. 45.25 crore, Ice Skating Rink cum Roller Skating Rink at Dharamshala with a cost of Rs. 39.51 crore, development of Ice Skating Rink cum Roller Skating Rink at Shimla with a cost of Rs. 34.85 crore, Wellness Centre at Kullu with an outlay Rs. 27.76 crore and restoration of Naggar Castle in Kullu district to be done at a cost of Rs. 11.57 crore.  The Chief Minister directed the officers to expedite the projects and complete within stipulated time period.
State Government has declared Kangra district as a Tourism Capital of the State and necessary tourism infrastructure was being created to facilitate the visitors. The Pong Dam would be transformed into an internationally renowned 'birders paradise' and would become a national centre for excellence in water sports. The Kangra airport was being expanded which will go a long way in attracting high end tourists to this region, stated Sh. Sukhu 
The Chief Minister informed that the number of tourists visiting Himachal Pradesh have significantly increased touching 1.13 crore uptill July, 2024.
Vice Chairman H.P. Tourism Development Board R.S. Bali, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sunder Singh Thakur, Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar, Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Director Tourism Mansi Sahay, Managing Director HPTDC Rajiv Kumar and other senior officers attended the meeting.