Haryana Government will construct small and big check dams on the Shivalik foothills for tapping rain water for irrigation purposes. Chief Minister Manohar lal on Thursday directed the Forest Department to carry out a survey for the construction of small check dams and similar survey by the Irrigation Department for construction of big check dams in Shivalik foothills.
The State Government has also decided to link Kalesar with Kalka through a metalled road to give boost to tourism in the region. For this, the Chief Minister directed the Public Works Department (Building and Roads) to conduct a survey so that the construction work of the road could be started soon. Presiding over the 20th governing body meeting of Shivalik Development Board, the Chief Minister on Thursday said that the proposed road would not only give a major boost to tourism in this area but also ensure the overall development of the region including the Adibadri, a historical, religious and picturesque place in the foothills of the Shivaliks.
The region would also get a further boost as prestigious education institutes would come up as a result of connectivity between Kalka and Kalesar, he added. Manohar lal, who is the chairman of the Board, directed the Forest and Tourism Departments to bring their action plan in the next meeting so that schemes and programmes for the development of region could be finalised.
Apart from this, Deputy Commissioners of three districts— Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanagar have been asked to identify places to be developed for the purpose of tourism. He also directed the concerned officers to conduct regular monitoring of construction of educational institutions and other ongoing development works in the region and submit a status report.
The Board approved a budget of Rs16 crore for the year 2015-16. The Chief Minister also directed that the budget of Shivalik Development Board should be utilised on special development projects whereas, the routine works should be get done through the concerned Departments. The Chief Minister had announced to set up Adventure Sports Academy at Tikkar Tal, Morni in district Panchkula and soon a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would be signed in this regard between the Tourism Department and Sports Department.
It was also apprised in the meeting that the development work being undertaken by the Tourism Department at the historical place Adibadri would be completed by the end of this year. In addition, the Forest Department is taking up the development of eco-tourism in Kalesar and Hathnikund. The Chief Minister added that the members of the Board and the concerned MlAs could give their suggestion for the development of region to Deputy Commissioner of Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanagar who would be the nodal officer for receiving their suggestion. The next meeting of the Board would be held in the Shivalik region.