Government plans Manali-Bilaspur heli-taxi service, says Sukhu

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has said that the state government was contemplating to introduce heli-taxi services from Bilaspur to Manali or Kullu to cater to high-end tourists keen to enjoy water sports and recreational activities in the Gobind Sagar lake in Bilaspur. The trial of a cruise was undertaken in the Gobind Sagar lake in Bilaspur today for the final launch of the water sports activities by the month-end.

Gobind Sagar Lake Carnival in una

• The potential of water sports activities in the Gobind Sagar lake at Androli village in Una district also to be tapped
• A Gobind Sagar Lake Carnival will be held at Androli to formally launch adventure activities shortly

He said, “This initiative aims to boost tourism and leverage water bodies to position Himachal Pradesh as a premier destination for water-based recreational activities, attracting both domestic and international tourists.”

Sukhu said that all these initiatives would help in attracting both domestic and international tourists. He added that the potential of water sports activities in the Gobind Sagar lake at Androli village in Una district would also be tapped. A Gobind Sagar Lake Carnival would be held at Androli to formally launch these adventure activities shortly, he added.

He said, “Tenders for commencing water sports activities in the Govind Sagar lake in Una district have been floated and are expected to be awarded by the month-end. A target has been set to launch adventure sports, including water sports activities, paragliding and other allied activities, by the year-end.”

Sukhu said, “Himachal Pradesh is blessed with stunning landscapes and many man-made and natural water bodies, which makes it an ideal destination for tourists. The state government is capitalising on this potential to promote tourism and bring economic benefits to the people of the state.” He added, “The state government has taken numerous initiatives to promote tourism and we are expecting to receive around two crore tourists this calendar year.”

He said the tourism sector was instrumental in providing employment and self-employment opportunities to the youth and was crucial for the economy of the state.