Railways to boost tourism in HP: Goyal
: Union minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said the railways will work to strengthen the tourism sector in Himachal Pradesh, noting that pleasant weather conditions in the state provide ample opportunities.
Goyal, the Union minister of railways, commerce and industry, was speaking at the valedictory function of a two-day Rising Himachal Global Investors’ Meet here. “The railway department is already laying four new rail lines in the hill state and it will further work in such a way which may help in strengthening the tourism sector,” said Goyal, adding that the hill state will become one of the most preferred investment destination in coming years.
The Union minister noted that the diversity of Himachal Pradesh has made it the perfect destination for investment.
Besides, the state government has also made it possible for entrepreneurs to invest by bringing in investor-friendly policies, he said.
“The presence of large number of entrepreneurs in this summit reflects how Himachal has opted for a higher growth trajectory and was marching ahead on the path of development,” he said.
Goyal urged investors to explore opportunities in the tourism sector. “Himachal has highest literacy rate and the initiatives taken to buzz the state with industrial activities are commendable,” he said, expressing hope that friendly policies of the government would attract investment to the state.
The Union minister said a high-level task force will be constituted to study all schemes of the Centre and Himachal in order to ensure better implementation of those in the state.
The task force will be chaired by the secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and representatives from Union ministries of agriculture and food processing, railways and tourism. The task force will give its recommendations within three months, an official statement said quoting the minister.