The Chhattisgarh Tourism Board (CTB) has established a call centre in the State. The CTB is now looking for an agency to run the call centre, officials stated. Notably, in a bid to further augment tourist facilities, the CTB is also setting up ‘Tourist Information Centre’ (TIC) in Railway stations of four cities of the State. The TICs would come up at Raipur, Ambikapur, Pendra Road and Raigarh, officials stated.
Incidentally, Chhattisgarh’s ancient archaeological site of Sirpur has now been included in the three Buddhist Circuits identified by the Union Ministry of Tourism in the country. The circuits would be developed by the Central Government in partnership with the respective State Governments and private stake holders.
The ancient archaeological site of Sirpur in Chhattisgarh had been included in Circuit 3 titled ‘ Buddhist Heritage Trails (State Circuits)’ , officials stated. The list of the identified circuits were announced by Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture ( Independent Charge) Dr Mahesh Sharma in an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha earlier.
Notably, in December last year, Dr Sharma had informed Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh that Sirpur would be part of ‘Buddha Circuit’ under the ambitious project of Union Ministry of Tourism. The Union Minister had provided the assurance to Singh during a courtesy meeting with him in New Delhi. The Chief Minster during meeting had informed the Union Minister that Sirpur has all those features as a destination that is capable enough to attract tourists from across the globe.
last year, the CTB also drew up ambitious plans to develop India’s biggest 'Eco-tourism hub' in the State. It had already received a Rs 113.5 crore project prioritization go ahead from the Union Ministry of Tourism to take its plans forward. The CTB, under the aegis of the Chhattisgarh Government has created a blue-print of future tourism plans that will help establish Chhattisgarh as India’s biggest 'Eco-Tourism hub.'
Based on the fact that Chhattisgarh is blessed with 80 per cent bio-diversity and a melange of natural abundance tops in natural tourism where three national parks, 11 wildlife sanctuaries, more than 30 significant waterfalls, abundant caves and untouched natural topography , the CTB seeks to promote tourism in the State at an international level through its ambitious future plans.