Chandigarh, April 29: Sanjay Kothari, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism Government of India, chaired the meeting to review the progress of tourism projects of Chandigarh in the presence of Sh. K.K.Sharma Adviser to the Administrator, Sh.Ram Niwas Home Secretary, Sh.Brijendra Singh Deputy Commissioner, Ms. Amandeep Director Tourism and other senior officers of Chandigarh Administration. The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Central Financial Assistance of Rs 43 crore for the development and creation of tourism infrastructure at the existing tourist spots like Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden, Botanical Garden.During the meeting, Shri Kothari lauded the efforts of Chandigarh Administration to implement the tourism projects in a timely manner and also create infrastructure comparable to International Standards. Chandigarh Administration is laying thrust to develop Chandigarh as a tourist destination with the promotion of Garden Tourism with the development of new Gardens in the city. New Garden tourism projects to be developed with the financial support of Rs 13.64 from the Ministry of Tourism. in the Southern Sectors of Chandigarh. Garden of Palms, Sector 42 near the Lake area, Valley of Animals, Sector 49, Garden of Conifers, Sector 52, Garden of Spring, Sector 53 and Japanese Garden, Sector 31.
Night Tourism shall be an added attraction for tourists and the Chandigarh Administration has plans to illuminate Architectural edifices and buildings of Le Corbusier in the Capitol Complex in Sector 1 . Ministry of Tourism has also agreed to give financial support to illuminate Rock Garden, Construct a new Prayatan Bhawan, upgrade Tourism Infrastructure at Kalagram and construction of Multi level parking.
The Adviser to the Administrator K.K Sharma also informed the Additional Secretary Ministry of Tourism that a holistic approach shall be made while implementing the tourism projects which would ultimately bring Chandigarh on national and International road map of tourism.
The unique art work and figurines of Rock Garden shall be highlighted through special lighting effects. At present, there are no activities during the evening hours and illumination of Rock Garden shall attract large number of foreign and domestic tourists to this tourist spot and enable increase in the average stay of tourists in Chandigarh.
According to the Home secretary Sh.Ram Niwas, “The new Prayatan Bhawan in Chandigarh shall have all amenities and facilities for the tourists and also intends to have the regional tourist offices of neighboring states, while having common facilities like Railway bookings, Air bookings under one roof for the convenience of the tourists and public. The visitors shall have conveniences like sitting lounge, cloak room, cafeteria etc .Tourism Department proposes to have souvenir shop to make available souvenirs and memorabilia of Chandigarh to the tourists.
The Ministry of Tourism understands the dire need to improve the parking facilities in view of the tourists travelling through own transportation and thus would extend financial support for construction of multilevel parking in Chandigarh for the convenience and facilitation of the tourists. The Additional Secretary Ministry of Tourism shall also visit all the sites on in Chandigarh on 30th April for physical inspection of the ongoing tourism projects being implemented by Chandigarh administration with the support of Ministry of Tourism.