To promote tourism in the State, Haryana Government will develop new GT circuits from Panchkula to Mahendergarh, comprising various projects.
All the expenses on the project will be borne by the Union Ministry of Tourism. Besides, Haryana Tourism has also identified a rural tourism cluster to be developed in Brij area of Palwal district. A spokesman said that the Union Ministry of Tourism had designated Darashaw & Company Pvt ltd as the State level Project Management Agency (SlPMA) for developing GT circuits.
Under the concept of circuit tourism, introduced by the Union Ministry, development of infrastructure, upgradation, beautification and restoration of old monuments and places of historical and cultural importance are taken up for integrated development and financed by the Central Government. The circuits already developed under the scheme are Panipat-Kurukshetra-Pinjore Circuit (Phase-I); Panipat-Kurukshetra-Pinjore circuit (Phase II); and Yamuna Nagar-Panchkula Poanta Sahib as a mega tourism circuit.
He said that the State Government had provided major thrust to tourism promotion to make it a major engine of economic growth and a catalyst of employment generation. The Tourism Policy, announced in 2008, acknowledges the role of private sector in tourism development with government acting as a facilitator and catalyst for growth.
The policy lays thrust on human resources development, systematic marketing and adoption of new technologies. With a view to harnessing the employment potential of tourism sector, the Centre has also launched Hunar Se Rozgar Scheme, a training programme to create employable skills in youths who are in the age group 18-28 and are Class VIII pass.
The State Government has implemented the scheme in its own Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs) and other private institutes. In all, as many as 2,110 persons were trained up to March 2013. Besides, 1,107 candidates have been imparted training since April 2013 till date, he said. At present, Haryana Tourism has a State-wide
network of 42 tourist complexes having 781 rooms, 15 dormitories, 42 restaurants, 36 bars, 48 convention centres/banquet/conference/ multi-purpose halls, five fast foods joints, one golf course and 14 filling stations. The spokespersons said, “Since January, 2013, Haryana Tourism has completed several projects. And, many other projects are under implementation which includes meditation hall at Brahma Sarover, Kurukshetra; Institute of Hotel Management at Yamunanagar; development of Yamunanagar-Panchkula-Paonta Sahib as a mega tourist circuit; construction of Convention Centre at Panchkula and Hissar and Sound and light show at Tilyar lake, Rohtak; and at Yadvindra Garden, Pinjore.”
Besides, the projects under implementation in the PPP mode are Amusement Park at Tilyar lake, Rohtak; camping site at Damdama; Surajkund Nature Park; and Heritage Hotel at Mahendergarh, he added.