In order to reduce traffic congestion in the town, the Dhalli workshop will be converted in a Bus Stand for the buses plying for upper regions of Shimla and Kinnaur district besides Karsog areas of the State. Keeping the required space for the HRTC workshop, the remaining portion can be used for the purpose of Bus Stand. It will reduce regular traffic jams on the Lakkar Bazar road also.
This was stated by Chief Minister Mr Virbhadra Singh while presiding over the 7th Meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board here today.
The Chief Minister said that the government was constructing many parking lots in the town and the parking near Tutikandi would be completed within 24 months which would reduce traffic pressure on roads in Shimla. Besides, way side amenities, it will provide space to park to around 700 vehicles. Similar parkings were also coming up in Dalhousie and Kangra, he said.
Regarding framing of appropriate laws and rules to save the tourists from the touts or cheats, the Chief Minister said that the matter was in process at the Government level. Suggestions poured in for ‘dress code’ for hotel guides and taxi drivers. “Complaints have been received from the tourists of fleecing by few coolies, Taxi drivers and so called persons posing as guides” said the Chief Minister. He said that it was mandatory to keep a vigil on such self-styled guides and touts who deceive the visitors. Guides should be registered and qualified enough, he said. Besides, it has to be strictly ensured that the taxi drivers don’t charge fare more than fixed rates from the tourists. “As this is the highest competitive area the department concerned and the Police need to tighten the noose around the touts”, added he.
The Chief Minister directed to well maintain the roads and take-off site at Billing well in time before the start of Paragliding World Cup -2015. He said that initially a sum of Rs. 50 lakh had been provided to PWD for improving the take-off site so that simultaneously many pilots can take-off in one go from Billing. He also assured to upgrade the existing Aero Sports hostel at Bir. He directed all the departments concerned to sort out at the earliest regarding undertaking development of Bir-Billing (which is one of the Worlds best Paragliding sites) before the world paragliding cup begins.
Mr Virbhadra Singh hoped that the Jakhu ropeway project would be completed by end of this year. He directed the department to conduct a survey on Sarahan-Bashal Kanda project which was endowed with majestic natural opulence extending as far as till Ponda, in district Kinnaur.
The Chief Minister strictly issued instructions for improvement of Bus Stands at Dharamsala, Dalhousie, Chintpurni, Nahan and Una.
Mr Virbhadra Singh expressed his concern over the renovation of certain heritage temples of the State. He said that he was not satisfied with the work of Archeological Survey of India (ASI), which has been delaying the upkeep and renovation work of major temples and sites under them in the State. He said that the Rock-Cut temples at Masrur were fast degenerating, besides there is a temple in Chamba under ASI but nothing concrete has been done therein too. ‘Our local handicraft and woodcraft workers are competent enough to do repair and renovation works, but are helpless because of the temples being under ASI” he said. The Chief Minister also issued direction for preserving and renovating ‘Sapni Fort’ in Sangla in district Kinnaur.
He also instructed to restore the stained glass windows of Christ Church at Ridge and Catholic Church behind Deputy Commissioners Office in Shimla. Instructions were also issued to conserve the prominent heritage structures in Mandi town including beautification of Tarna Mata Temple in Mandi.
The Chief Minister directed for laying ducts for all types of cables before undertaking the repair work of Mall road and other roads within the Shimla town. He also directed the departments concerned to speed up the works on any proposal of the government without any delay.
Suggestion was received to keep open the shops on the Mall road, Shimla till 10 PM during the summer season and even on Sundays. Minister for Housing & Urban Development, Mr Sudhir Sharma gave suggestions of starting ‘Night Markets’ during the summer season in few major tourist destinations in the State, giving additional revenue and providing additional activities for the tourists, he said.
Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, who is also the Vice-Chairman of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board welcomed the Chief Minister and briefed about the tourism Plan. He advocated for making Kangana Ranout, a famous cine-star as Brand Ambassador for promoting tourism of the State. Major Mankotia said that the government should take up the issue of including Himachal’s Bodh Circuit in ‘Swadesh Darshan Scheme’ of Government of India and also one of the religious destination in ‘PRASAD’ scheme of GoI, for spiritual augmentation and rejuvenation of religious places from tourism point of view.
Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Mansa Ram, Chief Secretary, Mr P. Mitra, Additional Chief Secretaries, Smt. Upma Chaudhary, Mr V.C. Pharka, Mr Tarun Mrdhar, Principal Secretary Finance, Dr. Srikant Baldi, Principal Secretary, Housing Smt. Manisha Nanda, Secretary GAD and Director Tourism, Mr Mohan Chauhan, Advisor Industries, Mr Rajinder Chauhan, Deputy Commissioners of Solan, Mandi, Una, Hamirpur were also present amongst non-official members and other senior officers of the State Government.
This was stated by Chief Minister Mr Virbhadra Singh while presiding over the 7th Meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board here today.
The Chief Minister said that the government was constructing many parking lots in the town and the parking near Tutikandi would be completed within 24 months which would reduce traffic pressure on roads in Shimla. Besides, way side amenities, it will provide space to park to around 700 vehicles. Similar parkings were also coming up in Dalhousie and Kangra, he said.
Regarding framing of appropriate laws and rules to save the tourists from the touts or cheats, the Chief Minister said that the matter was in process at the Government level. Suggestions poured in for ‘dress code’ for hotel guides and taxi drivers. “Complaints have been received from the tourists of fleecing by few coolies, Taxi drivers and so called persons posing as guides” said the Chief Minister. He said that it was mandatory to keep a vigil on such self-styled guides and touts who deceive the visitors. Guides should be registered and qualified enough, he said. Besides, it has to be strictly ensured that the taxi drivers don’t charge fare more than fixed rates from the tourists. “As this is the highest competitive area the department concerned and the Police need to tighten the noose around the touts”, added he.
The Chief Minister directed to well maintain the roads and take-off site at Billing well in time before the start of Paragliding World Cup -2015. He said that initially a sum of Rs. 50 lakh had been provided to PWD for improving the take-off site so that simultaneously many pilots can take-off in one go from Billing. He also assured to upgrade the existing Aero Sports hostel at Bir. He directed all the departments concerned to sort out at the earliest regarding undertaking development of Bir-Billing (which is one of the Worlds best Paragliding sites) before the world paragliding cup begins.
Mr Virbhadra Singh hoped that the Jakhu ropeway project would be completed by end of this year. He directed the department to conduct a survey on Sarahan-Bashal Kanda project which was endowed with majestic natural opulence extending as far as till Ponda, in district Kinnaur.
The Chief Minister strictly issued instructions for improvement of Bus Stands at Dharamsala, Dalhousie, Chintpurni, Nahan and Una.
Mr Virbhadra Singh expressed his concern over the renovation of certain heritage temples of the State. He said that he was not satisfied with the work of Archeological Survey of India (ASI), which has been delaying the upkeep and renovation work of major temples and sites under them in the State. He said that the Rock-Cut temples at Masrur were fast degenerating, besides there is a temple in Chamba under ASI but nothing concrete has been done therein too. ‘Our local handicraft and woodcraft workers are competent enough to do repair and renovation works, but are helpless because of the temples being under ASI” he said. The Chief Minister also issued direction for preserving and renovating ‘Sapni Fort’ in Sangla in district Kinnaur.
He also instructed to restore the stained glass windows of Christ Church at Ridge and Catholic Church behind Deputy Commissioners Office in Shimla. Instructions were also issued to conserve the prominent heritage structures in Mandi town including beautification of Tarna Mata Temple in Mandi.
The Chief Minister directed for laying ducts for all types of cables before undertaking the repair work of Mall road and other roads within the Shimla town. He also directed the departments concerned to speed up the works on any proposal of the government without any delay.
Suggestion was received to keep open the shops on the Mall road, Shimla till 10 PM during the summer season and even on Sundays. Minister for Housing & Urban Development, Mr Sudhir Sharma gave suggestions of starting ‘Night Markets’ during the summer season in few major tourist destinations in the State, giving additional revenue and providing additional activities for the tourists, he said.
Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, who is also the Vice-Chairman of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board welcomed the Chief Minister and briefed about the tourism Plan. He advocated for making Kangana Ranout, a famous cine-star as Brand Ambassador for promoting tourism of the State. Major Mankotia said that the government should take up the issue of including Himachal’s Bodh Circuit in ‘Swadesh Darshan Scheme’ of Government of India and also one of the religious destination in ‘PRASAD’ scheme of GoI, for spiritual augmentation and rejuvenation of religious places from tourism point of view.
Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Mansa Ram, Chief Secretary, Mr P. Mitra, Additional Chief Secretaries, Smt. Upma Chaudhary, Mr V.C. Pharka, Mr Tarun Mrdhar, Principal Secretary Finance, Dr. Srikant Baldi, Principal Secretary, Housing Smt. Manisha Nanda, Secretary GAD and Director Tourism, Mr Mohan Chauhan, Advisor Industries, Mr Rajinder Chauhan, Deputy Commissioners of Solan, Mandi, Una, Hamirpur were also present amongst non-official members and other senior officers of the State Government.
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