NewZNew (Bathinda) : Punjab government is going to start Chopper Tourism in Bathinda and Amritsar soon in collaboration with the private companies wherein the choppers will be used for tourism. This initiative is amongst the efforts of the Punjab government to turn the state into an epicenter of tourism. The Minister for Tourism and Jail, Punjab, Mr Sohan Singh Thandal said this while presiding over a the function held to commemorate World Tourism Day by the Bathinda, Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association today.
He said that on the lines of Chandigarh, open buses will be introduced in the state for tourism and also the work on project of starting vehicles in water is also on anvil. He added that the Punjab government was committed to take care of its rich cultural heritage. For the renovation of monumental buildings Rs 100 will be spend in the coming days, he said.
Mr Thandal said that those civilizations that forget their heirtage never develop in future. Henceforth under the guidance of the Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal, the Punjab government has constructed memorials commemorating various events of Sikh history so that the youngsters are made aware of the rich culture and heritage they belong to. He added that the Punjab government set up Virasat-e-Khalsa at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Chhota and Waddha Ghallughara Memorials and Baba Banda Singh Bahadur’s Memorial at village Chappar Chiri. He added that the Punjabis have made maximum contribution to the India’s struggle for Independence and for that a Jang-E-Azadi Memorial was under construction at Kartarpur. Besides this Ram Tirath is being constructed in the memory of Bhagwan Valmiki.
Keeping in view the demand of Hotel Association, Mr Thandal ordered formation of a five-members committee that will review the taxes imposed on hotels etc. He said that at Bathinda Tiger Safari will soon come up and the state government officers were in constant touch with the concerned center department officials in this context. He said that Bathinda was emerging as the hub of tourism in Malwa with the in presence of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, old fort, deer safari, thermal lakes etc. He added that in future the tourism industry will create many job opportunities thereby fueling the economic growth of state.
Mr Thandal said that four new jails were being constructed in the state and to beef up security in all of these CCTV cameras were being installed. He said that the Bathinda’s new jail was being constructed at village Gobindpura that too will have CCTV cameras.
Prominent among others present included president of Hotel Association Mr Satish Arora.
