Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday said the State Government has succeeded in getting in-principle approval of Rs 2,095 crore in ADB infrastructure Development Project for the State.

He said out of this, 90 per cent would be loan amount which would be supported by Government of India whereas 10 per cent would be State share, as Himachal Pradesh is a special category State. The Screening Committee, Department of Economic Affairs of Union Ministry of Finance has given its in-principle approval for funding from the ADB.

The Chief Minister said the project is aimed at giving a fresh impetus to tourism in the State through creation of new destinations, improving existing destinations besides ensuring maintenance and preservation of heritage. The project also envisages development of eco tourism by ensuring development of lesser known places to lower burden on already crowded tourist destinations, he said.

Thakur added he had personally taken up the matter with the Union Finance Minister and presentations were also made before the Ministry of Tourism, NITI Aayog and Ministry of Finance.

The project would be implemented in two tranches. The first tranche would be worth more than Rs 900 crore while the second tranche would be more than Rs 1,100 crore. The work on formulation of DPR would be taken in hand at the earliest and the project would kick start from March next year, he added.

He also said implementation of this project would give a boost to tourism activities in the State by creating world class infrastructure to woo tourists.