Centre okays Amritsar tourism project

Chandigarh, July 30 (UNI) In a significant decision to boost tourism in Punjab, the Centre has agreed to the proposal of the Punjab government to sanction Rs 25 crore for developing Amritsar as a "major tourist destination".

An assurance to this effect was given by Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni to Mr Badal during a meeting at Delhi recently.

The Centre had already sanctioned Rs five crore under "Normal Destination Development Scheme" for Amritsar.

Mr Badal has already urged the Union Tourism and Cultural minister to allot a special project to develop ' River Tourism' along the banks of river Satluj and the prestigious Ranjit Sagar Dam at Shahpur Kandi as it had a tremendous untapped tourism potential which could be exploited optimally.

The chief minister has put forth the demand of Rs 6.5 crore for the preservation and development of the historic Bahadurgarh Fort in Patiala and Sultanpur Lodhi town in Kapurthala district.

Besides, the Chief Minister had also raised a demand for the grant of Rs five crore for the development of Hoshiarpur as a "normal tourist destination".

UNI