Sunday, September 8, 2024 Bilaspur district is set to introduce water sports and new tourist attractions at Gobind Sagar Lake and Kol Dam, aiming to enhance its tourism potential. Inspired by the success of popular tourist destinations like Kerala and Goa, Bilaspur will soon offer cruises and shikara rides on Gobind Sagar Lake, said officials on Sunday. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu is expected to inaugurate the new attractions after September 15, marking a significant milestone for the region.
Bilaspur Deputy Commissioner Abid Hussain Sadiq confirmed that the equipment for water sports activities, such as jet skis, high-tech motorboats, and rescue boats, has already arrived, with cruises and shikaras expected in the coming days. Sadiq further emphasized that Bilaspur is the first district in Himachal Pradesh to feature such water-based tourism activities. “We aim to develop Bilaspur’s tourism offerings in the same way Kerala and Goa have successfully utilized their natural water resources,” he said.
The tourism department has officially approved year-round water sports at Gobind Sagar Lake, ensuring that tourist activities will be available across all seasons. Additionally, Mandi-Bharari, located along the Kiratpur-Nerchowk four-lane, is set to be developed with attractions like a zipline and skywalk bridge to further boost tourism in the area. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sukhu also reviewed various development projects in the Dehra assembly seat, Kangra district, during a one-day visit.
He called on officials to expedite work on critical infrastructure projects, including a new government college building, a circuit house, an indoor stadium, and a critical care unit at Dehra hospital. Plans for the construction of new offices for the Public Works Department, Jal Shakti, and the Electricity Board were also discussed. Sukhu highlighted that Kangra district is being developed as the “tourism capital” of Himachal Pradesh, with significant investments planned to enhance tourism infrastructure.
He urged officials to identify additional tourist sites around the Pong Dam and ensure the swift construction of a zoological park at Bankhandi. These developments aim to position Bilaspur and Kangra as key players in the state’s tourism sector, attracting both domestic and international visitors to enjoy their natural beauty and new attractions..
