Uttarakhand to invest Rs 5,000 crores on infrastructure in next 5 years

Uttarakhand Tourism is putting all its efforts to promote the state as one of the main tourist destinations in the country. The state’s tourism sector was badly affected by the flash flood in June and the government is attempting to dispel the perception that tourism destinations in the state are not safe. "From the tourism point of view, 90 per cent of the tourist spots in the state, including Mussoorie, Nainital, Rishikesh and Haridwar, are absolutely safe. These places were almost unaffected by the calamity and there is no risk in visiting them," Amrita Rawat, Tourism Minister, Uttarakhand said. According to her, only 10 per cent of the tourists destinations, part of the 'Char Dham Yatra' circuit, suffered extensive damage and efforts are on to gradually repair the damaged infrastructure in the Char Dham area.
 
Moreover, Uttarakhand Tourism has initiated a slew of measures to regain the glory of its tourism. “Uttarakhand has proposed major revival and rebuilding plan to pump in about Rs 5,000 crores in the next three-five years in the infrastructure sector. This offers plethora of business opportunities to the private players to join the Government in state rebuilding,” Umakant Panwar, Uttarakhand Tourism Secretary, said while inviting private players during a presentation at the Indian Association of Tour Operator’s Convention in Kochi. He revealed that the government will provide tax exemptions to private players looking to invest in Uttarakhand on medium- and short-term basis. The Centre has already extended substantial help to the state for redevelopment of infrastructure. 

He also divulged that the government is planning to develop Tehri Lake area as international tourist destination. “The project aims to develop Tehri Lake as complete tourist destination with nature, heritage and sustainable modern tourism amenities. Modeled on Italy’s Lake Como, the development will comprise of adventure sports facilities, leisure activities and a township. The work is expected to commence on this project by next year,” Panwar said.
He also informed that a 14-km long ropeway will be built between Gaurikund and the Kedarnath shrine. He said that the Yatra to Char Dham shrines will be opened for pilgrimage in the next few days. He said that the Badrinath pilgrimage will be opened to public in next 10 days while Kedarnath Yatra will also be opened in a week. He added that winter Char Dham Yatra will be made a regular feature in the state, so that maximum number of people can visit the shrines around the year.

Meanwhile, the government has exempted the hospitality industry in the flood-ravaged Uttarakhand from service tax till March 2014. “We waived water and electricity charges. We are also looking at giving exemption in VAT and luxury taxes to affected hotels,” Rawat said.