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Focus on better links with tourist spots

Staff Correspondent

40,000 kms of roads will be made in the next three years: Chauhan

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, said here on Sunday that tourism was a priority and his Government would do every thing and ensure adequate budgetary provisions for promoting tourism in the State.

He was speaking at a function to inaugurate the Interactive Session held as part of the two-day Destination Madhya Pradesh and Travel and Tourism Mart organised by the State Tourism Development Corporation at the heritage Jehan Numa Palace Hotel in the State Capital.

The Chief Minister said there was huge potential for tourism in the State but it had not been exploited to the desired level. He praised the efforts of the State Minister for Tourism, Yashodhara Raje Scindia, stating that she had a vision and was trying hard to promote tourism in the State.

Mr. Chauhan said tourism remains a priority with his Government and announced that in another three-month's time, important destinations like Khajuraho and Sanchi would be connected with good roads. He said the State Government was paying special attention on connectivity and efforts were being made on a war footing to properly connect 382 destinations across the State with proper roads.

Mr. Chauhan said Sanchi, Bhimbaitaka and Bhojpur near the State Capital were exclusive destinations. It would be his Government's endeavour to develop the State as a tourism zone, he added. The Chief Minister said roads were needed not only for tourism but also for overall progress and development. The State Government is focusing its attention on roads, water and electricity, he said adding that 12,000 kilometers of roads have already been repaired or constructed in the last two years and another 40,000 kilometers of roads would be made in the State in the next three year period.

The Chief Minister said that air-connectivity was important and observed that Bhopal and Indore airports deserved to be upgraded and converted into international airports. Similarly, he said Khajuraho, which was linked by air for only three days in a week, should be linked with a daily passenger flight.

He said he would be taking up this matter with authorities in Delhi. Responding to a suggestion by Ms. Scindia in her introductory speech, the Chief Minister said that the State Government was taking steps to convert the old Assembly building into an international level convention centre.

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