Dhumal govt yet to take decision
Even as the fate of the Himalayan Ski village hangs in the balance, the new regime is yet to take a decision on a number of mega tourism projects for which bids have come in from big industrial houses. During Congress rule some prime government properties were advertised with a view to inviting investment for tourism promotion. This included setting up of a golf course at Baddi, a mini golf course at Baragaon, near Manali; a health resort at Jhatingiri in Mandi and setting up a lake resort at Bilaspur. Some big names in the hospitality industry like Raddison and Holiday Inn had sent in their bids for setting up a golf course at Baddi. Being close to the industrial estate of Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh and to Chandigarh, the golf course is likely to emerge as a favourite haunt for those who love the game. The government will provide about 400 bighas of land for the golf course at Baddi. The Dhumal regime is yet to take a decision on the bids. "The fact that some very big names in the hospitality industry have sent in their bids is reason enough for us to go ahead with the bids,' admitted a senior official. However, no final decision has been taken with regard to the Himalayan ski village, a project about which the new regime has a lot of reservations along with other projects. Similarly, about 110 bighas of land is being offered at Baragaon, near Manali. The government has received about 12 bids in response to the advertisements for the setting up of a mini golf course at the picturesque locale in the Kullu-Manali valley. There is no dearth of takers even for the setting up of a health resort at Jhatingiri in Mandi. The proposed site was the erstwhile property of the rulers of Mandi and is a completely virgin area with not even the slightest traces of urbanisation. "The cool and clean environs of the place are ideally suited for a health spa for rejuvenation and relaxation,' informed an official. The Tourism Department is keen that Himachal can attract a lot of tourists through spas, the way Kerala has done. To showcase the tourism potential of Himachal, the government had organised a conclave where 15 government and 105 private properties had been offered to entrepreneurs on the theme