SHIMLA: Apart from mooting a Tent City at the base of Dhauladhar Range to promote Kangra as Tourism Capital of Himachal, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged Union Minister of Tourism, G. Kishan Reddy to include Himachal under Swadesh Darshan Yojna- II in next phase.
Sukhu Met Reddy in New Delhi on Thursday and presented his proposal to develop district Kangra as the tourism Capital of the State.
Sukhu has batted for the Kangra region as it voted 10 Congress MLAs out of 16 to the state assembly that, besides Shimla (seven MLAs) made Congress winning Himachal hands down.
Chief Minister said State government would prepare a detailed project report and submit it to the Ministry for erecting a 'Tent City' at the base camp of Dhauladhar range.
He said the proper land and road connectivity will be assured for the 'Tent City' project, which will have more than 200 encampments with all the luxury and comfort.
Under the Vibrant Village Programme, a detailed project report will be prepared for developing 25 places in the state as tourist attractions.
"These destinations will be equipped with ample amenities to facilitate the tourists visiting the State", he said.
Sukhu said a Convention Centre would also be constructed at Dharamshala with assistance of Asian Development Bank.
He told him that for the expansion of Kangra airport, the land acquisition process was in progress and would soon be completed. 
The State Government mulls to construct heliports across the state so that air connectivity could play a significant role in promotion of tourism in a big way.
He informed Reddy that Himachal has a vast immense tourism potential. It has water bodies (reservoirs), religious destinations, hills spots and mountain valleys for adventure lovers.
Pong Dam reservoir in district Kangra and Janjehli area of Mandi district will be developed under Swadesh Darshan Yojna II.
He said a renowned consultancy approved by Ministry will soon prepare detailed project report for execution of this project. The Chief Minister also requested to include other places of tourist interest under the ambit of the scheme.
Earnest efforts would be made to develop Kangra, an all time favourite tourist destination for both domestic and International tourists and strengthening the tourism related infrastructure in the district.
Chief Minister also advocated for including the State for development of heritage sites.
Chief Minister said that Chintpurni temple would also be developed under Prasad Scheme. Various amenities would be available for the pilgrims under the scheme.
Union Minister said that an Investors Meet was scheduled to be held in New Delhi in the month of April this year.
He suggested to prepare a detailed and comprehensive presentation based on tourism potential available in the state.
He also wanted mechanism to ease the process for land transfer and other necessary documentation to set up tourism ventures so that investors could be attracted to invest in Himachal.
How Long these ventures will take to see the light of the day?
Much will depend on the speed and efficiency on the part of the State Babudom and administrative skills and bargaining power of the Chief Minister and his team to put these new projects on the fast lane.
