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Uttaranchal Tourism: Infrastructure On Its Mind
Neeti Chopra - New Delhi
With an increase in the budget allocation for tourism promotion and development
this year, Uttaranchal Tourism is planning to focus on large-scale development
and improvement of infrastructure. The state is looking at attracting private
sector investments for creating world-class infrastructure in the state. It
has drawn out a master plan that offers fiscal incentives to suit investor needs.
During the period 2000-05, the state received financial assistance of Rs 38
crore from the Central Government. This was an achievement compared to the total
assistance of Rs 6.19 crore received in the preceding ten years (1991-2000)
when the state was part of Uttar Pradesh. The funds have now been increased
to Rs 50 crore for 2005-06.
TPS Rawat, Minister of Excise (Tourism & Sainik Welfare) Government of Uttaranchal,
added, "We are also trying to improve the connectivity within and outside
the state. Steps are being taken to develop new destinations with a strong emphasis
on involving local host communities through lodges, home stays, camping grounds,
guides, porters, transport, etc. Pilgrimage tourism also continues to be a priority
area."
While the state has identified five airstrips at Pantnagar, Haridwar, Gaucher,
Naini-Saini and Chinyalisaur for upgradation, the Dehradun airport is already
operational with daily service by Air Deccan to Delhi. Apart from this, a feasibility
study is underway for mountain airline to provide fixed wing aircraft services
within various Himalayan states. Moreover, Uttaranchal plans to connect the
holy shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Hemkunt Sahib, Gangotri, Yamunotri and
Haridwar through the Pawan Hans helicopter service.
Uttaranchal has already started a training programme, ‘Capacity Building
for Service Providers in Tourism’ for hoteliers, taxi drivers, guides,
dhabawalas, porters and other service providers and is supporting a national
level hotel and catering training institute that will be operational by the
end of 2005.
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