Paragliding hub lacks toilets, drinking water facility

Palampur, February 10

Bir-Billing, which is among the top 10 paragliding sites of the world, lacks basic amenities like toilets, drinking water supply and adequate parking space, etc. Billing had hosted the International Paragliding World Championship last year and pilots from 30 countries participated in it.

As there is no drinking water supply scheme here, tourists either carry their own water bottles or buy mineral water at higher prices.

Rahul Dhiman, Executive Engineer, Irrigation and Public Health, Baijnath, says that a drinking water supply scheme for Billing has been formulated, but in the absence of a power supply connection, it could not be commissioned. He adds that the Tourism Department is financing the power transmission system but it has not yet deposited money with the HPSEB, delaying the project.

Though the Tourism Department has imposed green tax, it has failed to provide basic facilities to the visitors. “There are no basic amenities at Bir-Billing, which has emerged as a major tourist spot over the years. It is also a favourite trekking spot for tourists coming to the Kangra valley,” says Subhash, a travel agent. Usha, a tourist from Ludhiana, says that she was disappointed as she could not find even one toilet there.

Bir-Billing Paragliding Association president Anurag Sharma says that the Chief Minister during a recent visit to Bir-Billing had announced several development projects, but these were yet to be implemented.