3-day Seraj tourism festival begins in Mandi

Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh inaugurated the three-day Seraj Talent and Tourism festival at Chouluthach, Janjehli, in Mandi district yesterday. The festival aims to boost tourism and highlight local talent in the Seraj constituency.

During the inauguration, Singh announced plans to develop a dedicated tourism policy for the Seraj Assembly constituency. He announced a grant of Rs 51,000 to support the festival. The event, first held in 2016, has been revived now after being paused during and after the Covid pandemic.

Addressing the attendees, Singh outlined several ongoing infrastructure projects. He said the construction of the Sanarli-Shankardehera Raigarh road is underway with an investment of Rs 13 crore. After the end of the monsoon, the road will be metalled and tarred, and the project is expected to be completed by June next year. Additionally, the Bagsyad-Rahi Dhar-Kathyali-Dhanwad-Shikari Mata Mandir road and the Patikri-Baada-Sheel-Kashmili Dhar road, costing Rs 10 crore and Rs 13 crore, respectively, are also slated to be completed by June 2025. Singh also highlighted a Rs 71 crore-project to construct a combined office building in Janjehli, a rural livelihood centre in Beji, and community health centres in Thunag and Gadagushaini by June 2025.

Singh emphasised the importance of executing projects in time and addressed the issue of claims of compensation by people whose land was used to construct roads. He announced that in order to avoid disputes, roads would not be constructed unless land was officially transferred to the government.

Encouraging sustainable tourism, Singh urged the local community to build buildings following traditional architecture and preserve the natural beauty of the area.

To mark the conclusion of the Nalwar Mela at Lambathach, Singh launched a blood donation camp organised by the Health and Family Welfare Department, HDFC Bank, and Club Mahindra at the Club Mahindra premises in Janjehli.

He said that preserving such fairs was people’s collective responsibility, noting their role in fostering community interaction and promoting local products.

Singh highlighted the state government’s commitment to holistic development, emphasising that development projects being executed are completely free of party politics. Focusing on local infrastructure, Singh prioritised the completion of the unfinished science building at Lambathach college. He vowed to ensure that all necessary funds for this project will be provided.

In support of local cultural initiatives, Singh announced financial contributions of Rs 25,000 for cultural programmes and Rs 21,000 to the fair committee.

Citing the recent influx of 1,50,000 visitors to the Shikari Temple, Chait Ram Thakur, General Secretary of the Pradesh Congress Committee, said Seraj was gaining recognition on the tourism map. He also advocated holding such festival at other significant locations to promote tourism.

The event was attended by district Congress Committee Executive President Harender Sen, Block Congress President Tek Singh, Youth Congress District President Tarun Thakur, Executive SDM Thunag Amit, BDO Janjehli, DSP, senior officials from the PWD, and other dignitaries.