Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday said that a Shiv Dham would be developed in Mandi town under the ADB project which would make Mandi a tourist destination.

“The proposed Shiv Dham would be developed at Kangnidhar near Mandi,” said the Chief Minister while presiding over the ‘Abhinandan Samaroh’ organized by the Mandi Vyapar Mandal at Bipasha Sadan in Mandi town.

Thakur said that Himachal has immense potential for tourism development, but it was being felt that the existing tourist destinations of the state are becoming overcrowded.

The State Government has decided to develop lesser known tourist destination from tourism point of view. A world class heliport is coming up at Kangnidhar and the efforts would also be made to construct an artificial lake along Beas in the town after consultation with the experts, he said.

The Chief Minister said that a big multi-storey parking would be developed in Mandi town to facilitate the tourists and locals.

Efforts would also be made to decongest the Mandi town. And, a modern auditorium would also be constructed in the Mandi town to facilitate the people of the area, he added.

Thakur said that the traders play a vital role in the society as they are not only the centre of economic activities, but also plays a constructive role in the society.

He said that maximum tax was collected from the traders and thus were directly involved in the development and progress of the nation. The Union Finance Minister has made a historic announcement in reduction in the corporate tax which has brought a major jump in the share market of the country, he said.

The Chief Minister said that this initiative made by the Union Government would go a long way in making the proposed Global Investor Meet of the State Government a grand success.

All this was possible due to the political farsightedness, strong and able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was a major step to uplift the economy of the nation and the decision would also help in attracting foreign investment to the country, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Member of Parliament Ram Swaroop Sharma said that Mandi district has witnessed a new era of progress since the BJP held the reins of the state.

He also detailed various developmental projects initiated by the present State Government in the district.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated Government Pharmacy College at Bagsaid in Seraj area of Mandi district. He said that the Pharmacy College was offering 60 B Pharma seats, out of which 56 have been filled. As many as 35 posts of different categories have been created to smooth functioning of the College. 

The Chief Minister also visited the under construction building of Government Civil Hospital Bagsaid and directed the concerned authorities for time bound completion of the project.

He also laid foundation stone of Water Supply Scheme Dhanshal Nala to village Kandha, Surahad and Upper Shangrar in Gram Panchayat Kandha Bagsaid to be constructed at a cost of Rs 1.07 crore.