Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister, Navjot Singh Sidhu would visit Harike Pattan on Saturday to explore the possibility of developing Harike Wildlife Sanctuary as a tourism destination, establishing a tourism centre and take stock of the amphibious bus project started by the previous government.
During the visit, 4 MlAs from areas adjoining the region-- Parminder Singh Pinki (Ferozepur), Harminder Singh Gill (Patti), Sukhpal Singh Bhullar (Khemkaran) and Kulbir Singh Zira (Zira) would also accompany Sidhu. The region would be developed as a hub of tourism with the due consultation of the MlAs of areas concerned, said Sidhu.
Talking to reporters, after the conclusion of day’s proceedings of Vidhan Sabha session, Sidhu took the decision after MlA Harminder Singh Gill asked a query during the question hour regarding developing Harike as a tourist destination.
Earlier, during question hour while replying to the query, Sidhu said that Harike Wildlife Sanctuary is being developed as a tourist attraction under the Asian Development Bank assisted Infrastructure Development Investment Program for Tourism (Tranche-3 which commenced in 2015) in which eco-tourism development works are being done.
These works were tendered out in August 2015 and so far only 29 per cent works have been completed. In addition, decision to introduce amphibious bus in Harike was taken by previous Government in 2015. Funds for this project were received from Punjab Infrastructure Development Board in 2016. An expenditure of Rs 8.62 crore has been incurred on the purchase of bus, construction of ramp, insurance and other miscellaneous charges. The bus was inaugurated on 12.12.2016 and so far, it has been operated on 10 days generating revenue of only Rs 64,000 for the Government.
Sidhu said that the so called amphibious bus ran for just 10 days. The minister said that if the previous government was so concerned about running buses then why did not they operated the buses of PRTC which is reeling under the loss of Rs 350 crore.