GUWAHATI: Two important projects under Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India were jointly inaugurated at PTSO Lake in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday by the Union Minister of State for Tourism, K J Alphons and Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu
These projects are “Development of North East Circuits: Bhalukpong- Bomdila – Tawang Project & Nafra- Seppa- Pappu, Pasa, Pakke Valleys- Sangdupota- New Sagalee- Ziro- Yomcha Project ”, an official source informed.
Addressing the occasion K J Alphons said that the efforts of Tourism Ministry have shown positive results given that the foreign tourists arrivals in the region have shown an upward trend over the years. The region received a total of 1.69 lakh foreign tourist visits during 2017 as against 1.45 lakh in 2016 registering a growth of 16.7% over 2016. The domestic tourists footfall reached to 95.47 lakhs in the year 2017 against 77.71 lakhs registering impressive double digit growth of 22.8% over 2016.
The project Development of Bhalukpong- Bomdila – Tawang was sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism in March 2015 for Rs. 49.77 crores. Under this project the ministry has developed facilities like accommodation, cafeteria, wayside amenities, last mile connectivity, pathways, toilets, multipurpose hall at Jang, Sorang Monastery, Lumpo, Zemithang, Bumla Pass, Gritsang TSO lake, PTSO Lake, Thingbu and Grenkha Hot Spring, Lumla, Sela Lake.
The project Development of Nafra- Seppa- Pappu, Pasa, Pakke Valleys- Sangdupota- New Sagalee- Ziro- Yomcha was sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism in December 2015 for Rs. 97.14 crores. The facilities developed under this project includes helipad, wayside amenities, trekking trails, rafting centre, log huts, craft bazaar, eco park, tourist facilitation centres, parking, multipurpose Hall, festival ground etc.
For development of Tourism infrastructure, the Ministry has sanctioned 16 projects for Rs. 1349.04 crores covering all North Eastern States under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD. The Ministry is actively working with other Central ministries like Culture, DONER, Road Transport and Highways, Civil Aviation etc. for development of tourism in the region.
Chief Minister in his speech said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state has received tremendous support in tourism sector. Before 2014, the state used to receive meager amount of Rs 8-10 crore. But now we can feel the difference.
He also thanked the centre and union tourism ministry for development of Parashuram Kund tourism site and for their assurance to clear all pending issues regarding tourism in the state.
Khandu informed that Bollywood star Salman Khan will be making his presence in Mechuka Advenutre Festival to be held on November 22 next.
