ADB to fund Tourism, Transmission and UD Projects in Himachal Pradesh

Asian Development Bank has agreed in principle to fund tourism promotion, transmission and urban development projects in the State. This was disclosed by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, in a meeting with a high level delegation headed by Shri Xiaoyu Zhao, Vice President and Shri Hun Kim, Country Director, Indian Resident Mission of Asian Development Bank, here yesterday.

Chief Minister welcomed the proposal of the Asian Development Bank authorities for funding tourism, transmission line laying and urban development projects in the State in addition to other on-going projects under implementation in different sectors in the State. He said that tourism happened to be the core industry of the State which had been contributing significantly towards the economy of the State. He said that since the nature has bestowed the state with immense natural beauty which if harnessed systematically would generate employment and self employment to the local youth. He said that with the investment proposal of ADB the tourism sector was bound to get benefitted with economic activities.

Prof. Dhumal said that the State had vast hydel potential of over 23,000 MW which was being harnessed with ecological safeguards. He said that a number of hydel projects were under execution in public and private sectors in different valleys in the state. He said that need had been surfacing to raise valley wise single dedicated transmission line to evacuate the power out of the valley to the main grid. He said that with the funding of transmission project by the ADB the work on the same would get expedited and aviation hazards removed from different valleys where number of hydel projects were generating power or were in the process of completing their projects. He apprised the delegation that state had attained the cent percent electrification target over two decades ago and quality electricity supply was being ensured to every household in the state, even the remotest village in the state. He said that Himachal Pradesh was the only State which was providing domestic consumers cheapest power in the country. He said that the State had successfully implemented an ambitious Atal Bijli Bachat Yojna, providing four free CFL bulbs to about 16.5 lakh domestic consumers in the State. He said that the scheme had benefitted the state with saving 270 million units of electricity in one year generating income of Rs. 100 crore.

Chief Minister said that there was need for systematic planning of the urban development in the state and a number of activities were under execution to make urban areas self contained in all respects by providing all the basic amenities to the residents of the town. He said that Shimla being capital of the State, happened to be the main town of the state which showcases the entire State to the visitors. He welcomed the proposal of the ADB to fund beautification and developmental projects in urban areas of the state. He said that there was need to construct a modern solid waste management plant for every urban area so that cleanliness of the towns was maintained. He said that the State had banned use of plastic carry bags in the state which had been a major environment hazard and was being accorded top priority in view of the protection of environment of the State. He said that besides creation of mass awareness about the environmental safeguards, the State government was motivating the common man to join the campaign to make Himachal Pradesh environmentally safe. He thanked the ADB for its liberal funding of various schemes and assured that Himachal Pradesh would be the an active partner in availing developmental funding facilities of the bank to make the State leader in all respects.

Shri Xiaoyu Zhao, Vice President of ADB, expressed satisfaction over the progress of different projects being funded by ADB and appreciated the initiatives being taken by the state on different sectors. He said that the Bank would be happy to fund tourism, transmission line laying and urban development projects in the state. He said that keeping in view the natural grandeur bestowed by mother nature the funding would go a long way making the state look more beautiful to attract tourists from all over the world. He said that the Bank would also be willing to exchange information, share knowledge with the State so that both could gain from each others experience and expertise in different sectors. He said that the Bank had expertise to exploit the natural potential with environmental safeguards and help Himachal Pradesh in emerging more beautiful. He said that Himachal Pradesh was a good partner of the bank and all out efforts would be made to finance maximum number of schemes in the state.