Shimla: Rs.5.39 crore would be spent on promotion of tourism in Hamirpur district. This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, while speaking on the occasion of starting of beautification and landscaping work of Touni Devi Shrine in Hamirpur district, to be done at a cost of Rs. 35 lakh, today.

Chief Minister said that the State Tourism and Civil Aviation Department was implementing an ambitious project to upgrade infrastructural for tourism development in different parts of the State. He said that a multi-storied parking would be developed at Hamirpur at a cost of Rs. 2 crore; beautification and landscaping of the surroundings of temple of Gasota Mahadev would be done at a cost of Rs.15 lakh, renovation of Shiva Temple and Development of picnic spot at Bhounkar would be carried at a cost of Rs. 13 lakh; Tourist Reception Centre and Parking at Deothsidh would be developed at a cost of Rs. 84 lakh; River Rafting Centre would be constructed at Nadaun at a cost of Rs. 75 lakh; way side amenities would be created at Targhel at a cost of Rs. 32 lakh and another Tourist Reception Centre to be constructed at Sujanpur at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh. He said that on completion of these projects Hamirpur district would get a new and fantastic look to tourists.

Chief Minister said that the State Government had carried development in the State by rising above all considerations. He said that with the people oriented policies and programmes of the state government every family had been benefitted by one way or the other from the policies and programmes of the Government. He said that 325 MW of hydel power had been identified on the basin of Beas river and three hydel projects down to Dhoula Siddh would be constructed.

Prof. Dhumal said that DAV educational institution was started at Touni Devi half century ago and had produced many students who have excelled in various fields at national and international levels. He said that IRB battalion which was shifted by previous regime from Jangal Beri had been re-established there and Rs. 70 crore was being spent over infrastructure development in the area.

Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the people for always standing solidly behind him. He said that it was the faith and support of the people of the state which had been a source of inspiration for him for making Himachal Pradesh a role model of development in the country. He appealed to the people to continue their support in future as well.

Shri Vijay Behl, Vice President, Hamirpur BJP welcomed the Chief Minister and thanked him for providing funds for beautification and development of the prominent shrine of Touni Devi Temple.

Shri Madan Lal, Pradhan GP Touni Devi, proposed vote of thanks.

Shri Ishwar Dass Dhiman, Education Minister, Shri Anurag Thakur, MP and National President, BJYM, Smt. Urmil Thakur, MLA, Shri Pyare Lal Sharma, Chairman, APMC and State President, BJP Kisan Morcha, Shri R.S. Mankotia, Chairman, Kangra Central Cooperative Bank, Shri Narender Atri, State President, BJYM, Shri Des Raj Sharma, President, District Hamirpur BJP, Smt. Sarla Sharma, Chairperson, Zila Parishad, Shri Rajender Singh, DC, Shri Kuldeep Sharma, SP, other senior officers and party functionaries were present on the occasion.