Tourism Corporation of Gujarat limited (TCGl) in association with Border Security Force (BSF) launched border tourism initiative in lines with Wagha Border in Punjab, in North Gujarat. The initiative has been given name –Sima Darshan.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani launched the project for public viewing at Nara Bet near India-Pakistan border in Banaskantha district. Initially tourists can go for Sima Darshan on every weekend (Saturday-Sunday). In future TCGl wants to though open for tourist round-the-year.
“Nara Bet is around 240 km from Ahmedabad near Sui Gam. Tourists would be able to enjoy border viewing from zero point after showing their government approved photo ID card on every weekend at noon time,” said a senior TCGl official.
Unlike the lowering of the flags ceremony at the Wagha border near Hussainiwala National Martyrs Memorial, there wouldn’t be presence of Pakistani rangers at Sui Gam in North Gujarat.
It would be a different kind of ‘beating the retreat’ ceremony where only BSF jawans will perform the drill, inform the official. TCGl is upbeat to attract large number of tourists, especially during October to March every year.
Assuring Governmental assistance for higher education to the children of the army and BSF personnel killed or permanently disabled in action, Gujarat Chief Minister said that he would make sure to complete construction of mobile towers on the borders at the earliest to enable the jawans guarding the borders to stay constantly in touch with their family members wherever they were.
He also announced that in the next budget the Government would make all electronic goods purchased by the army and BSF jawans tax-free.
It is worth mentioning that Gujarat government is promoting tourism in a big way for the past few years. With added attraction of border tourism along with Gir Sanctuary, White Desert of Kutch and religious tourist circuit comprising Somnath and Dwarka temple, TCGl expecting increase in tourism flow in the State in coming days.