category Regional, shimla, , tags Regional, shimla, , DW BUREAU Shimla Chief Minister, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reviewed the tourism and other flagship projects being executed in District Kangra in a meeting with the officers of the district administration at Dharamshala today. He also reviewed the steps being taken to develop Kangra as the Tourism Capital of the State and stressed on the revival of traditional tourist destinations.. The Chief Minister said that the state government was promoting water tourism, adventure tourism, religious and health tourism in Kangra district and would spend about Rs. 3000 crore to develop the infrastructure. He said that air connectivity is essential to develop the Kangra District as the tourism capital and to achieve the same, the expansion of Kangra airport and construction of heliports in Rakkar and Palampur were underway. He also gave adequate directions to identify and develop the trekking trails in order to promote adventure tourism. The Chief Minister said that the runway length of Kangra airport was planned to be extended to 1900 meter in the first phase and in the second phase the runway length is planned to be extended to a total length of 3010 metres facilitating the operation of A-320 type of aircraft. He said that the total cost of acquisition for the first Phase was Rs. 572.07 crore. He said that the sites for development of heliports in Rakkar and Palampur have also been identified to be developed with an estimated cost of Rs. 6.66 crore and Rs. 9 crore for Rakkar and Palampur heliports respectively. Furthermore, the Chief Minister directed the identification of land for a heliport in Jawalaji which will facilitate promotion of religious tourism. Emphasising on the importance of meeting project timelines and expediting clearances, the Chief Minister gave necessary directions for getting timely forest clearances and take up the issues of urgency before the concerned authorities under FCA (Forest Conservation Act). Besides, the Matour-Shimla and Pathankot-Mandi routes will be expanded to four lanes with a medium width of 5 meters to enhance their aesthetic appeal, he said.Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that an International Convention Centre is proposed to be constructed at Dharamshala with an estimated cost of Rs. 130 crore to promote the conference tourism in district Kangra. He said that 2.19 hectares of land has been identified for this project. (editor dailyworld.in)