Hotel Body Rues Absence Of Bhatinda From Tourist Map

Indrani Rajkhowa/New Delhi

At a recent meeting held by Punjab Hoteliers Association, the members rued the fact that despite possessing many important heritage, cultural and pilgrimage sites, Bhatinda is virtually absent from the tourism map of the state government.

Criticising the state government for doling out a step-motherly treatment to this key commercial town of Punjab, the travel industry stakeholders demanded that the seat of the fifth important religious seat of Sikhs, Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo, Muktsar Gurudwara, Hazirattan Guru-dwara, historical fort, be included in the state tourism map.

Besides being an industrial growth centre with the biggest cantonment and railway junction, two thermal power plants, and national fertiliser plants, the place is also a hub for many interstate fairs and festivals, including the Maghi Mela of Muktsar, Baisakhi Mela at Talwandi Sabo and Sheikh Farid Agam purb at Faridkot. The rich cultural and heritage of the place, points the tourism industry, could be an easy draw for visitors from all over India.

A source from the association informed, "With the coming up of Guru Gobind Singh oil refinery project, petro-chemical project and a large number of other ancillary units, there has been a rise in the number of hotels here. But it is finding it difficult to survive without support from the government."

The Punjab Hotel Association has sought a meeting with Jagjit Singh Puri, special secretary and director of Punjab Tourism. The trade body, which will lay stress on the development of medical tourism, has included nine districts of Punjab with super-speciality medical facilities. Bhatinda is the commercial centre for the entire Malwa region of Punjab and people from over a 100 kilometre radius have to come here for any type of medical treatment, education or commercial activity.