Indian Railways to cater to Himachal tourist centres

The Indian Railways catering and tourism corporation will provide catering services in four newly-opened tourist information centres in Himachal Pradesh .

The state cabinet that met here granted approval to sign a memorandum of understanding between the state tourism department and the Indian Railways catering and tourism corporation. Railways will provide quality catering services in the newly opened tourist information centres in Shimla, Solan, Nahan and Suketi fossil park .

Approval was also given to amend the HP river rafting rules 2005 to adopt new river rafting (amendment) rules 2011 and open the Lahaul and Spiti valleys for such activities .

Currently, river rafting is being conducted in Kullu and Manali in Beas and at Tattapani in Sutlej .

The Cabinet also gave permission to build bus stands at Parwanoo, Hamirpur and Una .The construction period has been extended from 12 to 18 months in the state on PPP mode and the concession period has been extended to 40 years to all future projects including bus stands .

The cabinet also approved the draft national land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement Bill .