Non-operational airports in HP a major concern: Tourism dir

Three airports near tourist towns of Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala which have been non-functional for last 10 months are a major cause of concern, Tourism Department Director Vijay Inder Karan said.
"Air traffic issue shall be the major point of order in the coming meeting of the board of Directors," he said.
Karan said that Dharamsala is a major attraction for foreign and domestic tourists, but the area is not developed to keep them beyond a day as it lacks new and modern attractions.
He said that rope ways like Himani, Mecleodganj and Triund could attract tourist for a longer stay.

Appointment process of district tourism officers, who are generally selected through Himachal Administrative Services, could be converted to a cadre based system, selected from the tourism department itself, Karan said.
"The state government shall be requested to convert the post of District tourism officer to cadre based so that it could serve tourism department for a longer period," he said.

Karan said they would also request the state government to make amendments so that the luxury tax must go direct to tourism department instead of department of taxation.
Beside this, there are 11 roads which if redeveloped can ease the traffic congestion in Dharamsala, Karan said. "An easy link should be made to Galu Mata, Naddi, Stobari, Kareri also to divert the rush," he added.

Karan said plans must be made to ply only local taxis in and around the city to reduce traffic problems.