Steps to explore possibilities of Highway tourism

CHANDIGARH, OCT 18

 Keeping in view the wide possibilities of tourism in the State, Haryana Government has taken concrete steps during last about one year to explore possibilities of Highway tourism, religious tourism along with other tourism possibilities.

        While giving this information here today, a spokesman of the Tourism Department said that the first highway tourist complex was started at Yadvindra Gardens at Pinjore. Thereafter, many tourist complexes were started on National Highway No. 1 starting from Ambala, Pipli, Karnal, Panipat, Smalkha, Rai in Sonepat, Faridabad, Hodel and other places. The main purpose of starting these tourist complexes was to provide refreshment to the travelers and a comfortable stay for their rest while traveling between Chandigarh and Delhi and to other far off places. Apart from this, Kurukshetra has been declared as the religious city in the State and every year Gita Jayanti Samaroh was being celebrated there. A large number of people from all over the world come to see this Samaroh, he added.

        He said that during last year, the Haryana Tourism Corporation hosted and organized the Pinjore Heritage Festival and Mango Mela at Pinjore Gardens. Also, the department has published Travel Guide for the ease of travelers coming from different parts of the country and abroad. The Haryana Travel Guide was released by the Chief Minister. He said that Surajkund International Crafts Mela was organized every year in Surajkund. He said that this year in the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, Chattisgarh was the Theme State, Lebanon was the Partner Nation and over 20 countries and all the states of India participated. Mobile applications, e-Ticketing, SMS, online ticket booking etc were introduced this year for people visiting the Surajkund Mela, he added.

        He said that there is a plan to promote and develop ancient cultural sites, historical places and famous religious places as tourist destinations. Apart from this, separate bathing gaths for men and women have been constructed at religious places.

        The spokesman said that additional new rooms have been constructed in various tourist complexes at a cost of Rs 114 lakh. Apart from this, staff quarters have been constructed at IHM, Kurukshetra at a cost of Rs 100 lakh. Similarly, a conference hall in Pipli has been set up at a cost of Rs 64 lakh and a sum of Rs 64 lakh has been spent on for renovation of rooms in Hotel Rajhans, Surajkund, Tourist Complex, Magpie Faridabad, Tourist Complex Samalkha and Tilyar Lake, Rohtak. He said that 15 design galleries were converted into rooms at Surajkund Complex at a cost of Rs 30 lakh and Sanhit Sarovar was upgraded at a cost of Rs 90 lakh.

        He said that shops have been constructed at Karna Lake Karnal and new infrastructure works and maintenance works were executed at Surajkund Craft Mela for Rs 246 lakh. A new IHM has been set up at Yamunanagar whose first academic session has commenced from July, 2015.

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