|
Infrastructure investment activates new avenues for tourism advancement
Reema Sisodia - Mumbai
Tourism, India's neglected child especially since the last
three years, is gaining notability. Apart from an increase in plan allocation
for tourism from Rs 786 crores last year to Rs 830 crores this year what is
notable in budget 2006-07 is an increased emphasis on infrastructure development,
which would have a direct impact on tourism.
The announcement of new metro projects in Gujarat, Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh (MP), the completion of the impending Golden Quadrilateral by
2008, setting up of four hotel management institutes in Uttaranchal, Chhattisgarh,
Jharkand, Haryana, development of 15 tourist circuits and destinations, 50 villages
with emphasis on handlooms, handicrafts etc close to existing destinations and
circuits would only open up newer avenues for tourism promotion and development.
Surface transport facilities, a vital link to boost domestic tourism and in
turn inbound tourism has been dealt with increased seriousness this year. The
National Highways Development Programme (NHDP) continues to make progress, wherein
the finance minister has proposed to enhance the budget support for NHDP from
Rs.9,320 crore to Rs.9,945 crore in 2006-07. The North East region has also
gained importance with regards to road transport. A special accelerated road
development programme for the North Eastern region at an estimated cost of Rs.4,618
crore has been approved, with allocation of Rs 550 crore in 2006-07. 1,000 kms
of access-controlled Expressways are also to be developed on the Design, Build,
Finance, Operate (DBFO) Model in the country.
Emphasising the role of public-private synergy, Prem Subramaniam,
head - tourism, infrastructure development finance corporation (IDFC), said,
"The focus on infrastructure improvement is definitely good news as it
would bring in new opportunities and new partnerships in the area of tourism.
Improvement in surface connectivity and transport would give rise to a new segment
of road travellers, hence providing tour operators a new target market with
new products to offer. New integrated circuits and new tourism villages would
result in an increase in short haul trips and weekend gateways wherein people
will look for newer experiences rather than trophy hunting. Self-drive holidays
would be a new sector to explore. It would lead to dispersion of tourists into
new areas hence reducing the pressure on the already established tourism destinations.
But all this gain will only take place if there is connectivity between infrastructure
development and the private players. It is important that private players take
the initiative to sell and promote new regions where infrastructure has been
spruced up."
Apart from the North East region, the state of Jammu &
Kashmir has also received sanctions for infrastructure development. The budget
announced special plan assistance for 2006-07 fixed at Rs 2,300 crore. In addition,
a sum of Rs 848 crore for the J&K Reconstruction Plan, including Rs.230
crore for the Baglihar Project. Expressing his satisfaction, M Saleem Beg, director
general, Department of Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir, said "We welcome this
announcement. It was a critical requirement for tourism in J&K. We are hoping
to get Rs 200 crore for the development of tourism. The infrastructure, much
of which has been damaged over the last 15 years, needs restoration to cater
to a wide spectrum of travellers."
The state government of MP has earmarked Rs 55 crores, for
development of roads leading to tourist destinations. Says G S Chahal, executive
director of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC), "The
regions of Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior are definitely on a fast track
towards development especially in terms of infrastructure. Public- private synergy
is vital to further build and benefit from the on going infrastructure plan."
|
