Harike Patten to be developed as tourism hub: Sidhu

Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu today said it was his steadfast resolve to transform Harike Pattan into a tourism hub.
The minister also announced grounding with immediate effect the amphibious bus service which was started during the previous regime.
Operating this bus service has proved disastrous for the farmers of the region and ruined crops of 5,000 farmers, besides leading to drastic reduction in the number of migratory birds, Sidhu said during his visit here.
Interacting with the press, the minister divulged that vigilance would probe the "looting and plundering" of the resources of Punjab under the "garb of tourism" by the previous government.

Action would be initiated against those found guilty, he added.
Taking the previous government to task, Sidhu said the Punjab Roadways was reeling under a loss of Rs 350 crore due to the "inefficiency" of the previous SAD-BJP regime which was in power for 10 years where as the number of buses operated by the Badal family had rapidly increased.

He said the illegally plying buses in the state would be stopped soon which would result in the state transport coming out of the red.
Sidhu said a comprehensive tourism policy for the state was being formulated and would be announced soon.

The policy, he said, would lead to the creation of employment avenues for the youth of the state apart from accounting for increased tourist inflow.
He said the Congress government was committed to the all round development of the state to take it to glorious heights.
Sidhu inaugurated a newly-constructed guest house at Patti and said a park would come up at a cost of Rs 8 crore in the city.
He said a fire brigade facility in Patti would also be provided within coming two years.