HP eyes water transport to give tourism a boost

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 20

Transport and Forest Minister Govind Thakur said on Thursday that the government would fully exploit the water transport potential available in the state as this will give a fillip to tourism sector. While presiding over a meeting on water transport here, he said there was immense possibility of water transport on dams built on different rivers in the state, which should be properly exploited.

He disclosed that a detailed project report had been prepared by a private agency to find out the possibilities of water transportation at Chamera dam and Chowk Dam in Chamba district and Bhakra Dam located in Bilaspur district.

He urged the officials of the respective departments and the Deputy Commissioners concerned to work in close coordination so that the project could be expedited. He said the interests of the local people should be kept in mind while preparing the plan and it should also be ensured that they get employment opportunities.

Thakur said that according to the report submitted by the agency, water transport facility could be provided along 91 km at Bhakra Dam, 52 km in Kol Dam and 27 km in Chamera. He also directed to explore the possibilities of water transport facility in Pong dam and other rivers and dams in the state.

As per the detailed project report, the cost of these projects would be Rs 21.86 crore on Bhakra Dam, Rs 2.69 crore on Chamera and Rs 1.55 crore for on Kol dam.