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A major exercise has been initiated to improve tourism infrastructure in coordination with concerned Ministries. A result-oriented approach is being adopted to ensure more budget accommodation for tourists, better road connectivity to all major tourist destination & world heritage sites and to improve on shore infrastructure for berthing of Cruise ships. This was disclosed by the Minister for State of Tourism, Smt. Renuka Chowdhury to the Members of Consultative Committee attached to her Ministry, here today.
She said that efforts were being made to bring the tourists infrastructure in the country to international standard. With this objective, Ministry of Tourism has taken up matter for increasing scheduled airline capacity, upgradation of airport infrastructure in time bound manner, rationalisation of tourist transport taxes and setting up budget hotels at 100 identified tourists sites with private sector participation. Five ports including Mumbai and Mormugao have been identified for introduction of cruise between Bombay and Goa. A task force has also been set up to develop berthing place for small cruise all along the coast line to promote cruise arrival in India. The Ministry has also taken up opening up Kanchanjunga for the Indian side for scaling and trekking to promote adventure tourism. So far, the peak is opened from Nepal side only.
Briefing the Members of the Committee, Smt. Renuka Chowdhury said that in order to create quick and substantial impact on tourism sector the Government has taken up integrated development of tourist circuits. Under the scheme, landscaping, improvement of surroundings, illumination of tourists destinations, sound and light show, construction of wayside amenities, refurbishment of the monuments and setting up of tourists reception centres are being taken up. Funds for the work are released directly to the implementing agency as recommended by the States, she added. Highlighting the role of tourism in economic development Mrs Chawdhury said that the Government has also taken up rural tourism as one of the priority area so that its socio-economic benefits can be passed on to rural population. Under the scheme 32 villages have been identified. Apart from financial assistance of Rs. 50 lakh to each village from Central Tourism Ministry, resource available under different scheme of rural development and State Governments are being utilised to improve the surroundings of the village, roads within the Panchayat limit, illumination in the village, solid waste and sewerage management, construction of tourist accommodation, wayside amenities and signages.
Mrs. Chowdhury informed the Members that in order to monitor the implementation of projects, State Governments have been advised to constitute state level Monitoring Committees. They have also been asked to send quarterly reports on physical and financial progress of the projects. Implementation of projects is also monitored in the Ministry of tourism in review meetings with senior officials of the State Governments at regular intervals. The field officers of the Ministry have also been asked to inspect the project sites and send their reports. She expressed the hope that the mechanism would expedite the implementation of projects.
Participating in the discussion, members suggested infrastructure status should be accorded to tourism. Better training for the people related with hospitality sector including guides should be arranged. They also suggested upkeep of railway stations at tourism destinations should be improved and the railway station must be given character of the city. Members also raised the issue of better connectivity and development of tourist destinations of their respective States. The meeting was attended by S/Shri Chander Kumar, Bhanwar Singh Dangawas, Nihal Chand Chauhan, Rakesh Singh, Sukhbir Singh Badal, Parasnath Yadav, Sunil Khan, Tarini Kanta Roy, Ms. Pratibha Singh, Smt. Bimba Raikar, Smt. Jamana Devi Barupal and Dr. Chandan Mitra.
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