The State Tourism and Culture minister Satpal Maharaj called on the Union Tourism minister Mahesh Sharma and sought central funds for developing various tourism related aspects in Uttarakhand. The Union minister is stated to have assured all possible support to the state in response to Maharaj’s request for funds for developing the state into a tourist hub and its bugyals (high altitude alpine meadows) into world class ski resorts.
The state’s minister elicited the union minister’s focus towards scope for developing tourism in religious, adventure and medical spheres along with Yoga, Ayurveda and Panchakarma. He spoke to Sharma about developing Shakta, Shaiva and Vaishnav circuits connecting the various shrines to the goddess, lord Shiva and lord Vishnu in Uttarakhand. Apart from seeking funds for light and sound show on the Ganga river in Haridwar, Maharaj also sought central funds for a floating hotel on the Tehri dam reservoir, a submarine sight-seeing tour of the old Tehri town submerged in the reservoir along with para-gliding, para-sailing and scuba diving among other aspects. Funds were also sought for development of jogging track, bicycle track, tram track, cafeteria and ropeway around the Tehri dam reservoir apart from operation of small cruise boats on the reservoir. He also sought fund for development of tulip garden and caravan camps in the state. Khanpur MlA Pranav Singh ‘Champion’ also accompanied Maharaj to the meeting with Sharma.