A slice of Swiss in Mizoram by 2011

Aizawl, Apr 30 (UNI) Mizoram government has chalked out a five-year vision plan to recreate the romance of holidaying in the Switzerlands here by 2011.

The vision plan include introducing Northeasts' first ever Toy train, which will chug around the hilly terrain, establishing flying club, setting up a typical Mizo village resorts in all the districts of the state, abolishing Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and privatising high-way restaurants of international standards.

Besides this, tie-ups with various tour operators, setting up various hotel management training centres across the region for the young entrepreneurs, giving a face-lift to all the national parks, signing up technical deal with Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) for promoting existing tourist spots and extending railway network in the region.

''We are working out a five-year tourism vision to recreate the romance of holidaying in the Switzerland hills in our state by 2011'', Tourism Minister Z H Ropuia told UNI.

''About 14-crores has already been earmarked in the budget for five years to accomplish the blue-print,'' he said, adding initiatives are already on to privatise highway restaurants and resorts and setting up eco-friendly tourism spots in all district headquarters.

The minister also underlined ''We have already moved the Centre to abolish the existing RAP, which would not only help attracting foreign travellers into the State but also generate revenue''.

Transport commissioner R K Thanga added that the Northeast's first toy train with two coaches, donated by the former Prime Minister Deve Gowda, will be operational by next year in Seswang area at CTI complex, at the cost of 30 lakhs.

''It will complete at least five joyrides each day, taking tourists on a two-km journey through a beautiful landscape, including breathtaking views of deep gorges and undulating valleys,'' he said.

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