With an objective to take tourism in Chhattisgarh to the next level, the Chhattisgarh Government is now planning to take a series of initiatives for developing ‘Highway Tourism’ in the State.
Highway Tourism abroad means tourists are exposed to routes with exceptional scenic beauty. In a recent meeting with Chairman of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board (CTB) Santosh Bafna, the state’s Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Rajesh Munat has assured him of providing requisite assistance for development of tourism, particularly ‘Highway Tourism’, in Chhattisgarh.
As per information received, the PWD Minister accompanied by Chairman of Chhattisgarh Industrial Development Corporation (CSIDC) Chhagan lal Mundra, Chhattisgarh Text Book Corporation’s Chairman Devji Bhai Patel and Speaker in Raipur Municipal Corporation (RCM) Praful Vishwakarma recently met the CTB Chairman. On the occasion, works and activities being carried out by the Board were also discussed.
The Central Government has recently approved Rs 99.94 crore based on a Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted by CTB for development of the Tribal Tourism Circuit in the State under ‘Swadesh Darshan’ package. The approval was given in a Secretary-level meeting held in New Delhi recently, officials stated.
The objective of forming the tourism circuit is to highlight rich and ancient tribal culture and environment of Chhattisgarh’s tribal dominated regions. Under this tribal tourism circuit, Jashpur, Kunkuri, Mainpat, Ambikapur, Maheshpur, Ratanpur, Kurdur, Sarodhadadar, Gangrel, Nathiyanawagaon (Kanker), Kondagaon, Jagdalpur, Chitrakoot, Teerathgarh will be developed for tourism.
In this circuit, Jashpur, Ambikapur and Sarodhadadar would be developed as ethnic tourist village and Mainpat, Kurdur, Gangrel, Kondagaon, Jagdalpur, Chitrakoot and Teerathgarh are to be developed for eco-ethnic tourism while work for sight amenities will be carried out in Kunkuri, Maheshpur and Nathiyanawagaon.
The Ministry of Tourism will soon be allocating funds for the circuit and work in this regard would be carried out in a sequential manner.
Notably, in August this year, the Central government had granted 'in-principle' approval for including Chhattisgarh in the ‘Tribal Tourism Circuit’ under its ‘Swadesh Darshan’ package, officials stated.
The 'in-principle' approval was granted in a high-level meeting of officials which was attended by Chhattisgarh Tourism Minister Dayaldas Baghel and Union Minister of State for Tourism ( Independent Charge) Dr Mahesh Sharma in New Delhi. Chhattisgarh is among only two other states which had sent a proposal to the Union Ministry of Tourism for its theme-based ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme for development of eco-tourism infrastructure in the State.
The proposal by Chhattisgarh is for ‘Integrated Development of Eco Tourism’ circuit in Rajmergarh–Kabir Chabutra-Achanakmar Tiger Reserve- Kurdar-Sirpur-Kodar Dam-Gangrel Dam-Kanger Valley National Park, officials informed.
The Telangana State had sent proposal for ‘ Integrated Development of Eco Tourism circuit’ in Mahaboobnagar District and Kerala has sent proposal for ‘Integrated Development of Eco Tourism’ circuit in Gavi – Pathanamthitta
Promotion, development of tourism and its infrastructure including promotion of eco-tourism/heritage tourism is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, officials stated.
The Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for projects that are complete as per existing scheme guidelines and are sanctioned subject to availability of scheme/funds and utilization of funds released earlier.