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`Bhatinda nowhere in tourism map of Punjab'

Despite possessing many important heritage sites, the State Govt. has failed to highlight the place, rue travel firms

BHATINDA: Despite possessing many important heritage, cultural and pilgrimage sites, this key commercial town of Punjab is virtually absent from the tourism map of the state government, rue travel and tourism industry stake-holders. The fifth important religious seat of Sikhs Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo, Muktsar Gurudwara, Hazirattan Gurudwara, Historical Fort, biggest cantonment and railway junction, two thermal power plants, National Fertilizers, three industrial Growth Centres--Bhatinda has them all but still seems to need something more to be present on Punjab's tourism map.

Besides, many inter-state fairs and festivals are celebrated here which include Maghi Mela of Muktsar, Baisakhi mela at Talwandi Sabo and Sheikh Farid Agam purb at Faridkot which have historical and religious significance for people of all religions. At a recent meeting held by Punjab Hoteliers Association, the members have demanded inclusion of Bhatinda in the tourism map. ``With the coming up of Guru Gobind Singh oil refinery project, petro-chemical project and a large number of other ancillary units, there has been a rise in the number of hotels here. But it is finding it difficult to survive without support from the government'', said Chaudhary Partap Singh and Arun Sehgal, President and general secretary of the association.

``Bhatinda is the commercial centre for the whole of Malwa region of Punjab. People from over a 100 kilometre radius have to come to Bhatinda for any type of medical treatment, education, shopping and all kinds of other commercial activity'', said Sehgal. Paramjeet Singh, president of Punjab Hotel Association, said they have sought a meeting with Jagjit Singh Puri, special secretary and director Tourism Punjab and would press for their demands. He said the Association has taken up the issue of medical tourism.

``We have included nine districts of Punjab with super-speciality medical facilities which are Amritsar, Bhatinda, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, Pathankot, Sangrur and Barnala'' he added.

The Association has also sought advice of the president of the Indian Medical Association, Punjab, regarding the same. - PTI

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`Bhatinda nowhere in tourism map of Punjab'

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