The State Government has so far failed to tap the tourism potential of the Tehri dam reservoir inspite of plans being made by the authorities concerned to facilitate this. The Public Works Department (PWD) had made a ring road plan to bring this reservoir on the tourism circuit about a year ago, but this proposal has not yet been approved by the Central Government.
The State Government had proposed a 200 kilometres long road around the Tehri dam reservoir to promote tourism and the PWD had prepared and submitted a Rs 100 crore proposal to the Central Government in this regard, but the proposal has not been approved yet. However, with a new Government being formed at the Centre, the locals are hoping that works will now be undertaken to link the dam reservoir to the tourism circuit. About a year ago, when the ring road plan was mooted, the locals and public representatives had welcomed the development stating that it would play a vital role in boosting tourism activities in this region.
Tehri dam reservoir affected Dinesh Singh Rana and Kamlesh Singh said that more than a decade has passed since the dam reservoir was formed but due to the protracted apathy of the authorities at the Centre and State, no substantial tourism-related activities have started here yet. Tourism activities based on the dam reservoir can provide employment to a considerable number of locals affected by the construction of the Tehri dam.
If the proposed ring road is constructed, tourists will be able to access the dam reservoir conveniently from different directions. The State Government is planning to facilitate water sports in this reservoir, so the ring road will further help in tapping into the tourism potential of the dam reservoir.