Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi has sanctioned a special package of Rs 100 crore for restoration and reconstruction of the affected Government tourist facilities in Uttarakhand.

This will be in addition to the Central Financial Assistance of about Rs 95 crore already sanctioned during the current financial year for developing tourism infrastructure in the State.

The Ministry has advised the State Government to assess the damaged tourist amenities and conveniences and come back with the estimates of requirement of funds for rebuilding the infrastructure. After this assessment, the Ministry will sanction funds.

“The funds sanctioned in the relief package will be utilised for restoration and reconstruction of tourist infrastructure across the State with a special focus on tourist facilities along yatra route which will be used for providing shelter to the disaster hit pilgrims and tourists,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Also, the tourism industry in Uttarakhand has lost revenue earnings of about Rs 12,000 crore on account of the torrential rains according to estimates of industry body PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

According to the estimates, “Close to about 11 per cent of Uttarakhand’s GSDP has been ruined in terms of prospective tourism earnings on account of the flood in all its riverbeds through which the services sector, especially the tourism industry was flourishing in the State in the last couple of years. The tourism in the State is largely concentrated along sides of Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Mandakini and Dhauliganga in both Garhwal and Kumaon regions , it added.

Meenakshi.v@thehindu.co.in

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