The Newz Radar
CHAMBA: To rejuvenate tourism in the renowned hill station of Dalhousie, which has been experiencing a decline in tourist footfall annually, prominent personality and Dalhousie Hotel Association Chairman Manoj Chadda has expressed the urgent need for concerted efforts to promote tourism in the Dalhousie region and other parts of Chamba district.
During an exclusive interview, Chadda, a former member of the State Planning Board in the BJP government who also served as the former Tourism Director and Municipal Council president, emphasised the significance of promoting tourism to uplift the economic prospects of Dalhousie. As the owner of Hotel Mount View, formerly known as Bulls Head, the first hotel established in Dalhousie in 1874 during the British era, Chadda brings forth a wealth of experience and insight.
Commending the Modi government for its commitment to enhancing tourism on the national scale, Chadda urged both the central and state governments to take proactive measures. He specifically proposed the establishment of flight stopovers at Pathankot for flights en route to Leh and Srinagar. Additionally, he recommended a brief halt of the Vande Bharat Express train from Delhi to Katra at Pathankot, foreseeing substantial benefits for Dalhousie’s tourism industry.
Advocating for local infrastructure development, Chadda appealed to the state government to consider the construction of a ropeway in Dalhousie, connecting lower areas like Bathri, Devidehra and Panjpula to the town. Such an initiative, he believes, would not only cater to tourists but also prove beneficial for the local populace.
Chadda proposed organising a winter carnival in Dalhousie, capitalising on the region’s potential for winter tourism. He suggested the creation of ice-skating rinks at various locations in Dalhousie to attract tourists during the winter season.
Highlighting the historical and architectural significance of Dalhousie, Chadda underscored the need for its development along the lines of British-era tourism, akin to Shimla. He emphasised the importance of upgrading the Dalhousie-Dharamshala tourist sector and converting the Dalhousie Chakki Road into a four-lane route connected to the Pathankot-Mandi four-lane highway to further promote tourism in the region.
