Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation records Rs 107-crore turnover for first time, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu hails ‘effective management'
Shimla: The
Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation
(HPTDC) has achieved an annual turnover of Rs 107 crore under the present state govt, up from Rs 78 crore during the previous BJP govt, despite facing challenges posed by natural disasters in the state, said chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday.
Sukhu, while presiding over a meeting of the HPTDC and tourism department, stated that this success was due to effective management of the HPTDC hotels and restaurants, along with regular maintenance and optimal utilisation of the properties. Due to the profits earned by the HPTDC, the corporation was able to clear Rs 41 crore in benefits for the pensioners over the last two and a half years, whereas the previous BJP govt disbursed only Rs 26 crore during its five-year term, he added.
The chief minister directed the officers to further improve service across the HPTDC properties and explore the possibilities of leasing out vacant properties of HPTDC on an operation and maintenance basis to private players. He also lauded the purchase agreement between HPTDC and the food and civil supplies corporation for the supply of materials to HPTDC hotels, including ration, groceries, and other essential items.
Sukhu also reviewed various developmental projects of the tourism department and directed that these projects be expedited to yield maximum revenue for the state and enhance infrastructure for tourists visiting the state. The state govt is investing Rs 2,415 crore to develop better infrastructure, wayside amenities, and promote other adventure sports activities to attract tourists to the state, he added.
The chief minister instructed the tourism department to provide food vans to local people and commence Hop-on, Hop-off luxury bus rides on local tourism routes in the hill state. He also asked the department to complete the construction work of Shivdham in Mandi district at the earliest and beautification works in the Renuka lake area to make these more appealing to tourists. Sukhu also instructed the officers for the swift operationalisation of the heliports to improve air connectivity to various hill stations of the state.
Sukhu also reviewed expansion projects of Kangra, Shimla, and Bhuntar airports to provide better air connectivity to tourists, boosting tourism activities in the state. HPTDC chairman Raghuvir Singh Bali, MLA Suresh Kumar, principal secretary Devesh Kumar, director of tourism Vivek Bhatia, and other senior officers also attended the meeting. MSID:: 120767433 413 |
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