Rs 2095 crore ADB project nod for Himachal

Shimla : Himachal Pradesh has succeeded in getting in-principle approval of Rs 2095 crore in ADB infrastructure Development Project.

State Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said today out of this 90 percent would be loan amount which would be supported by Government of India whereas 10 percent would be Himachal’s share, as the hill state of a special category state.

He said the project aimed at giving a fresh impetus to tourism through creation of new destinations, improving existing destinations besides ensuring maintenance and preservation of heritage.

The project also envisages development of eco tourism by ensuring development of lesser known places to lower burden on already crowded tourist destinations.

Jai Ram Thakur said he had personally taken up the matter with the Union Finance Minister and presentations were also made before the Ministry of Tourism, NITI Aayog and Ministry of Finance.

The Screening Committee, Department of Economic Affairs of Ministry of Finance has given its in-principle approval for funding from the ADB.

The project will be implemented in two tranches.The first tranche would be worth Rs 900 crore while the second tranche would be Rs 1100 crore. Work on formulation of DPR would be taken in hand at the earliest and the project would kick start from March next year.

Jai Ram Thakur said the implementation of this project would give a further boost to tourism activities by creating world class infrastructure to woo tourists to visit Himachal from across the world.