Can Rail Expansion Unlock Tourism in Himachal Pradesh Where Boeing Jets Cannot Land?

Tourism stakeholders in Himachal Pradesh welcomed the Union Budget. It focused on better rail connectivity for hill states. This could boost tourist inflow significantly. However, they expressed disappointment over a lack of new investment incentives. The hospitality sector needs more fiscal support.

Mahendra Seth is the President of the Shimla Hotel Association. He also leads the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Stakeholders Union. Seth noted the budget’s focus on railway expansion. This plan covers both Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. He called it a very positive and forward-looking idea.

Air Connectivity Challenges

Hill states air connectivity faces major constraints. Himachal Pradesh currently has only three small airports. These airports limit aircraft operations severely. Large aircraft like Boeing planes cannot operate there. Efforts to expand these airports have stalled for years.

This infrastructure gap restricts tourist arrivals. Tourists often halt at Chandigarh first. Direct travel from Mumbai and South India is difficult. This is a major hurdle for the tourism market.

The Broad-Gauge Railway Solution

Improved broad-gauge railway connectivity offers a solution. Extending broad-gauge trains up to Shimla is key. Improving the Pathankot to Kangra connection is also vital. Seth believes tourist inflow will rise sharply. Tourists could travel directly to the state.

The proposal for mountain and adventure trains is welcome. Such services would further enhance tourist movement. High-speed or improved train services would have a significant impact. This represents a major shift in Indian Union Budget tourism strategy.

Call for Tourism Infrastructure Investment

Stakeholders are concerned about fiscal support. The budget offered no concrete incentives. They expected policy support for new investment. This is crucial for the hospitality sector. The GST rate for hotels was already reduced to five per cent. More incentives would strengthen the tourism ecosystem.

• Investment Incentives: The budget lacked new policy support. Stakeholders sought help to encourage expansion.
• Infrastructure Priority: Early broad-gauge rail expansion was preferred. This was seen as better than over-reliance on road widening.
• Implementation Hope: Stakeholders urge the Centre to implement rail plans. They also seek targeted incentives for investment.

The focus on rail development by Indian Railways is a positive step. However, tourism infrastructure investment is still needed. This will ensure the hill states can handle the expected increase in visitors.

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