Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district is set to launch an exciting array of water sports and new tourist attractions at Gobind Sagar Lake and Kol Dam, inspired by the success stories of Kerala and Goa, officials announced on Sunday.
Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu will inaugurate cruises and shikaras on Gobind Sagar Lake after September 15, marking a significant milestone for local tourism development. “Cruises and shikaras will arrive here within the next ten to fifteen days. So far, jet skis, high-tech motorboats, and rescue boats have already reached Bilaspur,” said Bilaspur Deputy Commissioner Abid Hussain Sadiq.
Gobind Sagar Lake and Kol Dam will serve as the focal points for this new wave of tourism activities, following a model similar to that of Kerala and Goa. “Bilaspur is the first district in Himachal Pradesh to feature such attractions,” Sadiq added.
The Tourism Department has officially approved water sports activities at Gobind Sagar Lake, paving the way for year-round tourist engagement. Additionally, Mandi-Bharari, located along the Kiratpur-Nerchowk four-lane, will be developed into a tourism hub, featuring new attractions such as a zipline and a skywalk bridge.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sukhu reviewed the development projects related to the Dehra assembly seat on Sunday and directed officials to accelerate the progress. During his one-day visit to Dehra in Kangra district, Sukhu emphasized resolving issues with the forest department concerning the construction of a government college building and called for fast-tracking other critical infrastructure projects.
The Chief Minister requested the expedited construction of a circuit house, an indoor stadium, a Superintendent of Police (SP) office, a critical care unit at Dehra hospital, and new offices for the Public Works Department, Jal Shakti, and the Electricity Board. Sukhu highlighted that Kangra district is being prioritized for development as the ‘tourism capital’ of the state, with several key projects proposed for the Dehra constituency.
In addition, Sukhu directed officials to speed up the construction of a zoological park at Bankhandi and enhance the infrastructure around Pong Dam to boost tourism. He also stressed the importance of identifying other potential tourist sites in the area to maximize its appeal to visitors.
