Uttarakhand: Rs 100 Crore Rafting Hub to be Established in Rishikesh
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Dehradun, Dec 4 (NationPress) The Union government has officially sanctioned an investment of Rs 3,295 crore for the enhancement of 40 diverse tourist destinations across 23 states in the nation through a scheme known as Special Assistance to States/UTs for Capital Investment (SASCI).
The renowned yoga and tourism hub Rishikesh in Uttarakhand will gain from the SASCI initiative. This scheme will see the establishment of a state-of-the-art rafting base station valued at Rs 100 crore in the iconic city of Rishikesh.
The current infrastructure supporting rafting activities in Rishikesh is insufficient, leading to numerous challenges for both tourists and locals.
There is currently no organized system for booking rafting adventures at the starting points, including Brahmapuri, Shivpuri, Kaudiyala, and the ending points such as Neem Beach, Laxman Jhula, and Janki Jhula.
Additional issues include the absence of facilities like toilets and proper changing rooms, inadequate safety measures, and traffic congestion along the Rishikesh-Tapovan-Shivpuri corridor.
The Rafting Base Station Project is designed to tackle these infrastructure deficiencies and obstacles in rafting tourism within Rishikesh. The initiative seeks to centralize rafting operations at ISBT and introduce a standardized booking system as well as improved amenities to attract premium tourists and stimulate economic growth.
This project includes the creation of a centralized rafting base station equipped with essential amenities such as toilets, proper changing rooms, and roadside food stalls to enhance the overall experience for visitors.
Measures being implemented also include the construction of alternative routes to alleviate congestion in the Tapovan region and the introduction of an ITC-based monitoring system to ensure safety and operational efficiency.
Furthermore, a waste management system will be established to promote environmental sustainability and preserve the local ecosystem.
Approximately 1,500 jobs are anticipated to be created as a result of this initiative. The Uttarakhand government will allocate land for the project, which will be executed by the state government under the supervision of the Union Ministry of Tourism.
To date, about 66 percent of the funding for the scheme has been disbursed to the states.
The central government has set a two-year deadline for states to complete the development of the tourist locations being revitalized under the SASCI initiative.
