Poor infrastructure will affect tourism industry in Jharkhand: CII

October 11, 2013

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JAMSHEDPUR: After chief minister Hemant Soren’s candid acceptance of the fact that national highways in the state need immediate face- lift, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) also said tourism industry will get affected if the present condition is not taken care of across Jharkhand.The state chapter of the CII has expressed doubts that the tourism industry in Jharkhand will make profits owing to its poor infrastructure and connectivity.

“We can cite the example of Amadubi tourist spot in Dhalbhumgarh (inaugurated last week by state tourism minister Suresh Paswan). Although the place is just 60km away from the city it over two hours to reach the spot,” said convener, tourism panel, CII, Prabhakar Singh.

Apparently, indicting the government for its lackadaisical attitude in improving the plight of the roads, the CII functionary said there’s no point opening tourist spots in isolated places.

“Proper connectivity through road, rail or air is prerequisite for reaching the tourist spots but in our state we have no rail or road connectivity,” said Singh on Sunday. Conceding, the dilapidated condition of the highways in the state, Soren, on Saturday, said here that he will convene a meeting in one month to work out the modalities for speedy improvement of the condition of the highways in the state.

He also said prolonged delay in the formulation of a vibrant tourism policy is also gradually eating into the potentiality of the tourism industry.

“Several projects that are crucial for the growth of the tourism industry are in limbo,” said Singh adding that law and order is another area that demands immediate attention.

He said lawlessness in the state cannot be judged merely from the prism of the Maoist incidents.

When his attention was drawn to the Union tourism ministry’s report indicating 20 per cent increase in domestic tourists last year in comparison to year 2011, the CII functionary said the report might not be that impressive in 2013.

“Agreed, relatively the number of visitors was high (in 2012) but I wonder what impression have they carried back home,” said Singh.

Source-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com