UP mulls PPP model for tourism development

The Uttar Pradesh government has adopted the public private partnership (PPP) model to unlock tourism potential in the state. “UP is endowed with rich cultural and historical heritage. There are enormous possibilities in religious, ecological and historical tourism and the government has decided to adopt PPP model to realise this potential,” state Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner (IIDC) Anil Kumar Gupta said here.

UP is among India’s top tourist destinations both with domestic and foreign backpackers. Major tourist destinations are Agra, Varanasi, Mathura, Allahabad, Ayodhya, Sarnath, Jhansi among others. The best time to visit UP is from October to March.

There are several important tourism circuits in UP like the Buddhist circuit; Bundelkhand circuit; Braj (Agra-Mathura) circuit; Awadh circuit; Vindhya-Varanasi circuit; and Wild Life-Eco adventure circuit. Two of the most venerated rivers of India-Ganga and Yamuna flow through the state.

Meanwhile, the IIDC-headed empowered committee on PPP on Wednesday gave in principle approval for issuance of request for qualification document for setting up Helium Balloon Ride facility at Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and Varanasi, besides restarting light & sound show at historical Residency, Lucknow aimed at unlocking the potentials of religious, spiritual, historical and eco-tourism.

The consortium of UDeC, IDFC and Innovest has been selected as consultant for carrying out necessary studies, prepare feasibility report and master plan for the three projects involving establishment of ropeways.

Aimed at promoting religious tourism and providing better transit facilities, ropeways will be set up at Radharani in Barsana, Mathura; Devangana (valley) in Chitrakoot; and Vindhyavaasani Kali Khoh-Ashtabhuja in Mirzapur.

To be developed by private developers, the government will facilitate provision of land. It is estimated 3,000-4,000 sq mt of land would be required for each of these projects at an estimate capital of Rs 6 crore.

Decision was also taken to encourage private players to create public facilities along the highways.