New HPTDC complex a boon for Pong lake tourists

Our Correspondent

Nurpur, January 18

Tourists visiting the Pong Dam lake will now get at least basic amenities requisite for attracting tourists as the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) recently opened its tourist complex comprising tourism information-cum-camping site, an air-conditioned restaurant and an open-air cafeteria.

Built at a cost of Rs 2.49 crore funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB), it was inaugurated by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh recently during his visit to Fatehpur subdivision.

The lake, also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar, has great tourism potential, but it lacks basic amenities for tourists visiting here. This tourist spot, which is situated on the Himachal-Punjab border, had no provision of clean drinking water for tourists.

This complex has 10 tent cottages and is likely to promote tourism activity at the lake. Significantly, the lake is famous for foreign migratory birds and water sports activities. Every year over 1 lakh migratory birds from far-off countries used to throng the lake in winter and return to their native places in March.

A regional water sports training centre is another attraction for visitors where students and members of para-military forces get water sports and water safety training. Apart from this, inter-colleges and inter-universities water sports competitions are being organised in this centre but lack of basic amenities was a major bottleneck in flourishing tourism.

According to Sunil Kaul, senior manager, HPTDC, providing quality service to tourists visiting the Pong Dam lake will be given top priority at this tourist complex.

He said the HPTDC had organised a grand show of hospitality on the Lohri festival by welcoming Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh by arranging 36 Lohri special eatables. He said the complex would prove to be a boon for tourists visiting the lake round the year.