Sikkim to promote hydro-tourism once dams come up: Chamling

Gangtok, Sep 5 (UNI) Providing another angle to the developmental thrust due to hydel power projects in Sikkim, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said that the state government will promote 'hydro-tourism' once the dams were in place.

''With dams coming up in different parts of the state, we are considering Hydro-tourism by means of little lakes that are being formed due to these dams,'' the Chief Minister said during the state level Teacher's Day celebration at Gangtok today.

''Wherever lakes come up through dams, we will deploy boats to promote tourism,'' said Mr Chamling. Local people here can set up hotels to cater to the tourists, he added.

The state government has signed agreements with different companies to set up 22 power projects in the state and is targeting to generate 5000 MW power by 2015.

Sikkim will be earning Rs 2,000 crore through power generated by the hydel projects, Mr Chamling said.

''We will also provide electricity to local industries at production cost for their industries,'' Mr Chamling said. With this huge advantage, our local entrepreneurs can compete in the market, he said. State government will also earn revenue and there will be no more unemployment in the state, he added.

UNI