Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister, Navjot Singh Sidhu on Saturday said it is his steadfast resolve to transform Harike Pattan into a tourism hub of the State.
Visiting the Harike headworks, the Minister also announced the grounding with immediate effect the amphibious bus service operated by the previous regime. He said the operating of this bus service has proved disastrous for the farmers of the region for the releasing of water to operationalise the project has ruined the crops of 5,000 farmers besides leading to drastic reduction in the number of migratory birds.
Talking to media, Sidhu divulged that vigilance would probe the looting and plundering of the resources of Punjab under the garb of tourism by the previous Government and those found guilty will be strictly proceeded against.
Sidhu said Punjab Roadways is reeling under a loss of `350 crore due to the inefficiency of the previous regime which was in power for ten years where as the number of buses operated by the Badal family has rapidly increased. He also disclosed that the illegally plying buses in the state would be stopped soon which would result in the PRTC coming out of the red.
The Minister said a comprehensive tourism policy for the state is being formulated under the guidance of Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh. He also said that this policy would be announced soon and would lead to the creation of employment avenues for the youth of the state apart from accounting for increased tourist inflow.
Others present on the occasion included MlAs Harminder Singh Gill, Sukhpal Singh Bhullar, Kulbir Singh Zira and Parminder Singh Pinki, besides the officials. SAD tells Sidhu tourism infrastructure is not built to earn money by State.