Tehri Garhwal (Uttarkhand): Tehri lake that breathes life into the world’s highest dam, Tehri Dam, will soon boast of a tastefully decorated cruise ship to move around tourists. The cruise ship is expected to benefit locals and foster village tourism in the region.
Ship manager Vijay Bisht told media persons that the initiative would promote village tourism. “It also aims to encourage the local people, who had turned hopeless after construction of the dam, to utilise the available resources and opportunities for their good,” said Bisht.
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Details about tariff and travel facilities are being worked out and it will be announced once the cruise ship is launched in the naturally-endowed lake. The state government has already announced various incentives to boost tourism in the area.
On Wednesday, Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced a 25% discount on Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) hotels, to promote tourism in the winter season. Officials were directed to strengthen the security arrangements for tourists for winter travel in the hill state. Emergency management systems, the CM said, should be made effective during bad weather and asked to ensure repair work on roads.
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The state government is exploring various measures to draw tourists during the winter seasons as well, apart from promoting religious tourism. Launching the cruise ship in Tehri lake is one of the measures to make Uttarakhand a tourist destination during winter as well. Chairing a meeting of senior officers of the tourism department, CM Dhami directed the officials to construct fresh parking lots for vehicles on the travel route, while preparing the necessary infrastructure to increase the daily holding capacity of visitors in Chardham.
CM Dhami said that top priority was being given to the arrangement of health services, cleanliness and safe accommodation. The preparations for the 2025 Chardham Yatra have also started so that the pilgrims do not face any difficulty, he added.
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The Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) has made extensive preparations to ensure smooth power supply at these places. The department is also making all out efforts to promote winter tourism and pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand CMO had said in a release earlier.
A large number of tourists and pilgrims visit major places in the state like Mussoorie, Auli, Joshimath, Dhanaulti, Haridwar, and Rishikesh during winter. UPCL has issued guidelines to the regional units to ensure the availability of all necessary resources in these areas, the release added.
