Rs 55 cr infrastrcture development plan for MP Tourism

New Delhi, Aug 11 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Minister for Tourism Yashodhara Raje Scindia today said the state government was committed to exploiting the full potential of tourism in the state and will spend Rs 55 crores on the development of road infrastructure in 17 tourist destinations.

The MP Tourism Development Corporation will remove all the bottlenecks in developing quality infrastructure and involve the private sector to invest more comprehensively in tourism projects, she said, speaking as its Chairperson while making a presentation unfolding her vision for a resurgent Madhya Pradesh here.

She said connectivity was being improved with special emphasis on linking all tourist destinations with good roads with a view to making Madhya Pradesh a top ranking tourist destination.

Ms Scindia said it is for the first time under the leadership of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan that ''we are able to give the Tourist Department the necesary strength it needs.'' Tourism had amazing potential and was giving a revenue of Rs 500 crores a year to Madhya Pradesh, she said adding ''we have wonderful things in MP.'' ''My strength is domestic tourism though we look forward to foreign tourists as well,'' the Tourism Minister said.

Khajuraho, famous for its erotic sculpture, would soon have a rail connection which will be completed in 2007.

Through the medium of laser show, she unveiled the new logo for MP Tourism depicting the State's rich cultural heritage and unmatched wildlife.The old slogan ''Madhya Pradesh -They Very Heart of India now gives way to ''Madhya Pradesh :The Heart of Incredible India.'' Mr Ashwani Lohani, Managing Director of the MP State Tourism Development Corporation spoke about the various measures taken by the Corporation to improve accommodation, catering and transport facilities.

UNI YS DKS RAI2004