Admn plans projects to boost tourism

The Tourism Department today showcased a master plan for proposed development projects and strategies to boost tourism in the city. The officials made a comprehensive presentation before Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria at Punjab Raj Bhawan.

The officials listed various projects aimed at enhancing the city’s tourism, cultural and recreational infrastructure, while keeping intact the city’s unique identity as the modernist capital designed by Le Corbusier.

The key projects include the development of a concert centre and a world-class cultural hub over 25 acres at Sarangpur to host large-scale concerts and international events.

The department has also proposed a Digital Museum at Le Corbusier Centre, where modern technology would be integrated to create an immersive digital experience showcasing the life, works and vision of Le Corbusier. This feature will help visitors would better understand Chandigarh’s heritage and architectural legacy with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experience.

The department has also proposed a Museum of Knowledge – Le Corbusier Vision. It would revive the legendary architect’s unrealised concept of a “Museum of Knowledge” for Chandigarh and would be designed as a centre of innovation, research and global knowledge exchange, blending heritage with futuristic learning spaces.

A Natural History Museum has also been proposed by the department to showcase India’s rich biodiversity, evolution of life, geology and environment. The department has also planned the strengthening of tourist amenities at Rock Garden and Dhanas Lake.

Kataria emphasised the need to balance tourism growth with sustainability and preservation of Chandigarh’s world heritage character.