The Hindu : Other States / Himachal Pradesh News : Chopper service for tourists in Himachal on the cards

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 24, 2004

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Other States - Himachal Pradesh

Chopper service for tourists in Himachal on the cards

CHANDIGARH, NOV. 23. The Himachal Pradesh government is planning to introduce a helicopter service to enable tourists a comfortable and quick journey in the hill State.

Addressing a press conference here, the State Tourism Minister, G.S. Bali, said the State government was discussing the plan with the Union government.

"It is yet to be decided whether to go in for a State-owned chopper service or to opt for a joint sector venture," he said.

Mr. Bali said there were 55 helipads in Himachal Pradesh, besides three airports at Shimla, Kullu and Dharamshala.

He said a Himachal Tourist Conclave would be held from December 10 to 12 at Shimla to position the State as a leading tourist destination nationally and internationally.

The conclave, he said, would try to identify and provide an appropriate tourism infrastructure in the State with the participation of the private sector.

The State had already offered 15 per cent subsidy in investment in the tourism sector up to a maximum of Rs 30 lakh, he added.

Mr. Bali said about 60 lakh tourists visited Himachal Pradesh every year and the tourist inflow growth rate was about six per cent.

He said rural tourism was also high on the agenda of the state government and three heritage villages were being developed to give the tourists the real feel of the countryside.

The government was also identifying new tourist places in the State in view of the increased tourist inflow to the well-known destinations.

He said more ropeways would also be set up in Himachal Pradesh to provide the aerial view of the scenic beauty in the State.

Besides the ongoing ropeway projects at Shimla, Dharamshala and Manali, an eight km ropeway will be built from Anandpur in Panjab to Naina Devi temple in the State at a cost of Rs 60 crore, he added.

Regarding the proposed privatisation of the atate-owned hotels, he said the move was under consideration and within six months, the government would identify the sick as well as profit-making hotels which could be privatised.

The entire process would be totally transparent and global tenders would be floated to ensure privatisation in a professional manner.

Regarding the Himachal government's efforts to protect environment, he said a complete ban has been imposed on the use of polythene bags in the State.

UNI

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