Kullu: All set for skiing, boating at Largi Dam

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Kullu, February 28

Tourists visiting Kullu would be able to enjoy watersports activities in the reservoir of the state-owned 126 MW Larji Hydroelectric Project this summer. Watersports activities will be conducted up to a stretch of 3 km of the dam area and the Tourism Department has completed all formalities.

Development work underway

• The proposal to start water sports activities in Largi Dam has been going on for a long time.
• A budget provision of Rs 3.85 crore was made by the previous government and a floating jetty, jet-skis and other equipment had already been procured.
• Last year, the Water Sports Society had been formed to start water sports in the Larji Dam.
• A tender for the operations of the water sports and the cafeteria would be floated soon.

The structure for operating watersports and the building of the cafeteria are also on the verge of completion. A tender for the operations of the watersports and the cafeteria would be floated soon.

The proposal to start watersports activities at Largi Dam has been hanging fire for a long time. A budget provision of Rs 3.85 crore was made by the previous government and a floating jetty, jet-skis and other equipment had already been procured. Last year, the Water Sports Society had been formed to start water ports at the dam.

The Kullu DC is the chairman of the society and Kullu Superintendent of Police, Director of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) Manali, Kullu Additional District Magistrate are its vice-presidents. The Kullu District Tourism Development Officer (DTDO) is the member secretary and treasurer. SDM Banjar and Bali Chowki and other officers have also been included in the sports society.

Starting watersports in Larji Dam will boost tourism activities and strengthen the economy of the area. With the commencement of boating, motorboating, jet-skiing and other watersports in Larji Dam, employment and self-employment opportunities will be available for the local youth. It has been planned that priority would be given to the locals, especially project-affected people, for operating watersports.

Kullu DTDO Sunayna Sharma said the road leading to Larji Dam was damaged due to the floods in July last year, due to which the launch of these activities got delayed. She said work on the watersports structure and a cafeteria was on the verge of completion and a tender would be floated for their operations soon. She said jet-skis had already been procured.

She added that all the formalities had been completed and watersports activities would commence soon at the Largi Dam.