A slice of Swiss in Mizo by 2011

Aizawl, Apr 30: 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 echo-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.

The transport commissioner also stated that apart from this, proposal to extend existing railway route from Bairabhi to Sairang (near to the state capital) and 80-km gauge conversion from Katakual to Bairabhi is also on the pipe-line. Tourism director B Sanghluna said during 2006-2007, government has planned to construct new multi-tech tourist lodges at Zokhawthar (Indo-Myanmar border), Sakawrdai, Khamrang, Tlabung, Kanhmun and Saichoo, in the western belt of Mizoram, at the cost of Rs 6.67 crores.

Apart from the regular budget allocation, the state tourism department in collaboration with the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), is creating a tourist destination at Champhai with an amount of Rs 4.42 crore, tourist circuit at Aizawl-Lungle (Phase I) at Rs 6.3 crore and another tourist circuit in northern Mizoram with Rs 7.8 crores, he said.

Mr Sanghluna also added that eco-tourism facilities at Reiek village would also be extended to all the district headquarters during the current fiscal year at the cost of 4.70 crores.

Aviation officials also said that the North Eastern Council (NEC) has already approved Rs 5.2 crore for the airport modernisation with night landing facility.

There would be a small 14 seater aircraft, which would also be operational by next year to facilitate the travellers for an ariel-view of the state, the officials added.

UNI