Centre sanctions Rs 7.80 cr to boost religious tourism in HP

Shimla, Aug 14 (UNI) Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Rs 7.80 crore to Himachal Tourism Department under religious circuit to boost religious tourism in the state.

An official spokesman said under this circuit the major temples of the state would be beautified besides undertaking their landscaping and providing drinking water and toilet facilities in the precincts.

He also said the first instalment of Rs 3.49 lakh had already been received and the department had requested the Central Government to release the remaining amount at the earliest.

He said that the amount would be spent on renovation and development of premises of shrines located in all the districts of the state and basic amenities would be made available to visiting tourists.

The spokesman informed that Asian Development Bank (ADB) had already started working on a tourism development project, which includes religious places in the tribal areas under religious tourism circuit.

He said the ADB would prepare a detailed report for development of tourism infrastructure to connect tourist destinations with temples, to improve heritage places and to create means of livelihood for locals following parameters fixed for the purpose.

UNI XC PS AKJ KP1435