This Article is From Jun 17, 2014

Himachal Government to Build Airstrip in Spiti to Boost Tourism

Himachal Government to Build Airstrip in Spiti to Boost Tourism

File photo of Virbhadra Singh

Kaza: To boost tourism in this remote, inaccessible but picturesque area, the state government will take up the issue of construction of an airstrip in the Spiti area, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said on Tuesday.

"I am personally going to pursue the matter pertaining to the construction of an airstrip for Kaza at Rangreek with the government of India," the chief minister said at a public rally in Kaza.

He said the entire Spiti area would be made more tourism-friendly, both economically and technically, with the construction of the airstrip.

The chief minister said he is well aware of every nook and corner of the tribal areas of the state. "Overall development of the tribal areas and welfare of its people has always been my priority," he said.

Virbhadra Singh announced upgrading of the community health centre to a 50-bedded hospital and said it would have the latest equipment.

He announced a residential accommodation for the doctors in the vicinity of the hospital would be set up so that the doctors could be available round the clock.

He said the government would provide uninterrupted 180 days' employment to the labourers working for public works and irrigation and public health departments without a break, which was 100 days previously.

Earlier, while addressing a public meeting at the Kungri monastery in the Pin Valley, the chief minister stressed on the importance of conserving ancient monasteries.

He said the Mudh-Bhawa road would soon be constructed as it would be a shorter route to Shimla for the people of the Pin Valley. He also announced construction of Tangti and Kitnala bridges in the valley.

A part of the remote but picturesque Lahaul-Spiti district, the Spiti Valley is a cold desert dotted with tiny hamlets under the shadow of the Himalayan peaks, adjoining Tibet.

Kaza, the headquarters of Spiti, is some 320 km from state capital Shimla through Kinnaur district and equidistant from the picturesque Manali tourist resort via Kunzum Pass.
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