The India Post,Chandigarh,13th November, 2008 : Keeping tourism on the high agenda of Chandigarh Administration, UT Home Secretary, Mr. Ram Niwas on Gurpurab Diwas reviewed the plans undertaken to promote tourism in Chandigarh and also to formulate new tourism plans for which Ministry of Tourism, Government of India would release Central Financial Assistance upto Rs. 5.00 crores for promotion of Sukhna Lake as a major tourist destination in the city.
Home Secretary was accompanied by MD CITCO, Ms. Niharika Rai, CGM CITCO, Mr. Amit Talwar, Chief Engineer, Mr. Krishanjit, Director Tourism, Mr. Samwartak Singh, Principal, College of Architecture, Sh. Sangeet Gupta, former Principal, College of Architecture, Mr. Rajneesh Wattas and other senior officers of the various other departments of the UT Administration. Mr. Niwas visited Sukhna Lake and stock of the tourism projects for which CITCO, Tourism Department and Engineering Department had jointly submitted a proposal to Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (GoI) for release of grant. This included strengthening of tourism infrastructure at the lake along with its beautification and landscaping.
Tourism Secretary directed the Chief Engineer to explore the possibilities of raising the Open Hand in the island at a higher angle for better visibility and enhancing the beauty of the place, which shall include special light effects to highlight the monument, and the existing features. It has been planned to set up small light bollards all along the perimeter to define the island contours in the night so as to provide an enchanting view of the island for the tourists/visitors.
UT Administration has also submitted plans to the Tourism Ministry to build a band stand near the famous more than 100 years old peepal tree on the lake promenade. The band stand shall become a major attraction for the tourists as there shall be Pierre Jeanneret Memorial. Pierre Jeanneret a cousin of Le Corbusier had been instrumental in constructing the man made Sukhna Lake which is the life line of Chandigarh and has over the years developed into a major tourist destination in itself. The memorial will have certain artifact structures in the shape of a pedal boat which was designed by this great architect while the lake was being made with the water flowing from Shivalik Hills to the Sukhna Choe into the lake area.
Home Secretary gave many inputs in order to make Sukhna Lake more vibrant tourist spot and would be incorporated in the new plan being formulated for giving light effects to the areas adjoining the lake, so that, the tourists could enjoy themselves during night too. The Principal of College of Architecture was asked to submit a detailed proposal regarding the lighting effects on the basis of which the estimates will be prepared by the Engineering Department for further submission to the Ministry of Tourism, GoI for approval of release of funds to the tune of Rs.1.00 crore only for the purpose of proper lighting at the Sukhna Lake tourist spot.
Parking at Sukhna Lake is a major hassle on week ends and the Chandigarh Administration would submit a proposal for construction of a sub-way connecting the parking area on the other side of CITCO’s Chef Lakeview which shall enable the tourists and visitors to come to the Sukhna Lake Promenade without any hindrance. The sub way has been beautifully designed by the College of Architecture and on the basis of the plans already available, the Chief Engineer would make a proposal which would be to the tune of Rs. 2-3 crores with state-of-art technology to make the sub-way the first of its kind to be built in the Northern Region at a tourist spot.
Mr. Niwas also emphasized that development activities should also be undertaken at the regulator end of the Sukhna Lake so that the tourists and visitors can enjoy nature at its best. Special lighting infrastructure shall be put up for the convenience of the tourists to enjoy the Sukhna Lake Environs during the evenings which shall not disturb the ecology and there are plans to have a water fall feature along with seating arrangement for tourists to relax. Exercising & Fitness equipments shall also be installed so that the regular visitors can also adopt a fitness regime as per individual requirement. The Engineering Department shall also re-model its infrastructure at the regulator end with more parking area and a Tourist Reception Centre with toilet facilities has also been planned. The integrated plans for development of Sukhna Lake shall be submitted to Ministry of Tourism for release of funds to the tune of more than Rs. 5.00 crores. Mr. Niwas also informed that the Ministry of Tourism has also cleared the proposal amounting to Rs.2.00 crores of Tourism Department & CITCO to strengthen the tourism infrastructure at Sukhna Lake.
Home Secretary along with his team also visited the famous Rose Garden and the newly built Bamboo Garden in Sector – 23 to assess the possibilities of further strengthening the tourism infrastructure. At Rose Garden he directed the Principal, College of Architecture and his team member Mr. Bhagat, a renowned lighting expert, to put up a proposal for lighting the choe passing through the Rose Garden which shall add a new dimension as a night attraction for tourists and regular visitors to this popular tourist spot. Similarly, the water choe at the Bamboo Garden will also be lighted properly to give special effects to the garden which shall be seen by the passer-bys from the road side also. The proposal would also be submitted to the Ministry of Tourism which would be to the tune of Rs.2.00 crores.
The Home Secretary directed Chief Engineer to build a Tourist Reception Centre at the famous Rose Garden for the convenience of the visitors and the funds for this project shall be released by the Tourism Ministry, GoI. He further asked him to beautify the garden with two sculpture artifacts to be installed in the garden as major attraction; one at the main entry gate to the Rose Garden from the Madhya Marg side and the other at the entry point from Shanti Kunj side. He also told the Engineering Wing to improvise the Amusement Games Park Section in the Rose Garden with Tree House Structure along with other latest ground gaming facilities to make the garden more attractive for the children.
During his visit to Industrial Development-cum-Facility Centre (IDFC) in the Industrial Area, the Home Secretary directed that a State-of-Art Technology should be adopted by CITCO in terms of high tech equipments which shall facilitate the industries to get technological inputs for their specific areas of excellence and thus a national accreditation laboratory shall be set up for which funds will be provided by the Industries Department of Chandigarh Administration to CITCO.
Home Secretary also asked MD CITCO to revamp the infrastructure at the Multipurpose Community Centre, especially set up for the industries of Chandigarh and to submit a detailed proposal for renovation of the building. He further asked MD CITCO to incorporate the air-conditioning system for the convenience of the industrialists to organize conferences and seminars at this Centre.