The Hindu Business Line : KSINC identifies water tourism potential at Tehri

The State-owned Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporaton, which has prepared a detailed project report for the Uttaranchal Government, has identified water-related tourism as one among the activities for tourism promotion in the Tehri Dam area.

In its report submitted to Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd (GMVN), a Uttaranchal Government enterprise set up for promotion of tourism, KSINC pointed out that water-related tourism activities could be started initially by setting up floating jetties, deploying cruise vessel, speed boats, houseboats, water scooter as well as floating restaurants. The report had also estimated an investment of Rs 3.30 crore for acquiring these facilities.

The studies conducted for tourism master plan has projected a high growth rate in tourist arrivals in the coming years in Tehri, as it is very close to important tourist destinations such as Deharadun, Mussurie, Badrinath, Nainital, Rudraparayag, Rishikesh, Puauri etc.

Moreover, Tehri is a transit point between these places and the projected tourist arrivals for 2007 will be 11.27 lakh.

Mr K.N. Satheesh, Managing Director of KSINC, said that officials from GMVN had approached the Corporation to prepare a feasibility report on the tourism potential, especially in water-related tourism, in the Tehri Dam area and its surroundings. On the request of GMVN, officials from KSINC visited the Tehri Dam area and conducted a detailed study before preparing the project report, he said.

The report suggested construction of floating jetty in the dam as water level in the reservoir varies from time to time. The proposed jetty is to be made of fibre. There is also potential for introducing a cruise vessel with a capacity to carry 50 passengers with facilities for arranging entertainment programmes. Fixed schedules or exclusive packages can be offered to tourists.

There is also enough scope for deploying houseboats, which will be a great tourist attraction in the area by offering whole night stay and food and beverages. The report also suggested introduction of speedboats and water scooters in the Tehri Dam reservoir.

A floating restaurant with amusement area for children is another suggestion made in the report by KSINC as it has a good potential. Likewise, a twin hull boat meant for small group of tourists for conducting sightseeing trips had also recommended.

GMVN is a tourism promotion agency and has been actively involved in the integrated development of the Himalayan region of Garhwal. It is involved in promotion of religious pilgrimage and leisure and adventure tourism and specially designed packaged tours for pilgrims.

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