Chandigarh to promote night tourism

Chandigarh, Jan 30 (PTI) To promote night tourism inthe city, the local administration has planned to illuminatethe world-famous Rock Garden.

"We propose to illuminate the Rock Garden so as to makeit a special attraction for the tourists to promote nighttourism in the city and to increase the average stay oftourists in Chandigarh," Tourism Secretary of Chandigarh RamNiwas said.

The unique art work and figurines of the Garden shall behighlighted through special lighting effects, he said, adding,the Union Ministry of Tourism has given Rs 5 crore grant toilluminate the garden located in Sector-1 here.

The Rock Garden, spread over 20 acres and situated closeto Sukhna Lake was created by a local resident Nek Chand overthree decades ago. It showcases art objects, made fromindustrial and urban waste.

Each year, a large number of domestic and foreigntourists visit Chandigarh, especially to see Rock Garden, hesaid.

Famous for its many theme based gardens, the localadministration is also planning new gardens in the city toattract more tourists, which includes setting up of Gardenof Spring and Japanese Garden here in Sector 53 and Sector 31respectively.

Meanwhile, in 2010, the number of foreign touristsvisiting Chandigarh has recorded an increase. 39,330 foreignvisitors arrived in the city last year against 37,967 figuresof 2009 and 34,000 a year before.