Chandigarh June 20: Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal's dream of developing Morni Hills into a tourism hub is now being realized. Today, along with experiencing the adventure sports activities,the Chief Minister encouraged the youth and expressed his commitment towards developing Panchkula in the the areas of culture medicine, wildlife etc. The Chief Minister reviewed paragliding, hot air balloon, parasailing, power motor, e-hydrofoil, jet scooter, boating etc. and also rode the jet scooter himself. Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Sh. Rattan Lal Kataria, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Gian Chand Gupta, Haryana Tourism Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal, Minister of State for Sports, Sh. Sandeep Singh, Panchkula Mayor, Sh. Kulbhushan Goyal were also present on this occasion.
Interacting with media persons after observing the adventure sports activities, the Chief Minister said that people have to travel far away to Manali etc. for adventure sports activities. By starting such activities in the Morni Hills area amidst the Shivalik hills, people will not only get an opportunity to indulge in exciting activities but this will also lead to the economic development of the surrounding area. He said that the region has been culturally rich and has a very ancient geographical and social history.
Paragliding club will be named after Milkha Singh
The Chief Minister said that the youth from the neighbouring areas will be given training for paragliding and a club would be formed to conduct these activities. It will be named after Flying Sikh Milkha Singh. He said that Morni would prove to be a very suitable place for paragliding. This will increase employment in the surrounding villages and also increase the revenue of the state. He said that a tourism information centre and Yatri Niwas will be set up in Panchkula. Five buses will be deployed for Panchkula Darshan. The Chief Minister said that 9 one-day trekking routes have also been prepared for adventure sports activities. Soon after finalizing the night stay arrangements, two-day trekking routes will also be finalized.
The Chief Minister said that the use of hot air balloons would be started in Pinjore. With this citizens will not only visit Pinjore Garden but also Morni, Lake and other places of Panchkula. He said that hot air balloon facility was available only at 5 or 6 places across the country. With the start of this facility in Pinjore, this area will become a leader in the field of tourism.
Kalka to Kalesar will be tourism route
The Chief Minister said that Kalka to Kalesar is being developed as a tourist route. Rs. 49 crore has been received from the Centre for the development of Nada Saheb and Mansa Devi pilgrimage sites, through which work is being done at these places. He said that an amount of Rs. 52 crore has been received for Adi Badri, due to which work is being done there also. Morni is also being connected by this route. Under this, the fort built in Madhogarh, Lohgarh will also be the centre of attraction for tourists. Activities will be started at more places to promote tourism. Activities will be promoted in Rani Mahal Boli Narnaul, Brahm Sarovar Kurukshetra, Panipat, and Karnal. The Chief Minister said that the Tourism Department is working tirelessly to give Haryana a unique identity on the tourism map.
He said that many schemes are already underway for visits to religious places, including Swarna Jayanti Sindhu Darshan Yojna, Nanded Hazur Saheb, Patna Saheb etc. The Chief Minister also inaugurated a five-span bridge over Ghaggar river on Khartiya Badi Sher to Bhoj Koti link road. This will benefit 10 nearby villages. The Chief Minister also reviewed the Tourism Department's exhibition and took detailed information about the schemes from the officials.
Principle Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Sh. AK Singh, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Director, Tourism Department, Sh. RS Verma, Managing Director, Tourism Department, Sh. Neeraj Kumar and other dignitaries were present at the occasion.