Assam plans to create Kaziranga-Manas tourist circuit

The Assam government is making a determined bid to woo tourists by developing infrastructure and promoting famous spots in the state.

Among the measures the government plans to take up is the creation of a tourist circuit comprising the two most famous spots of the state, Kaziranga National Park and the Manas tiger reserve, at a cost of Rs 50 crore.

Official sources have confirmed that the centre has agreed to the proposal for the creation of the tourist circuit.

Another tourist favourite is the Majuli island on the Brahmaputra, Asia's largest river island in upper Assam, which is also bidding for the world heritage tag.

At present tourists find it difficult to include the Kaziranga forest and the Manas tiger reserve in their itinerary as the distance between the two is an energy-sapping 350 kms. They can, at best, visit only one spot at a time.

Now, officials said, with the creation of the tourist circuit, tourists would be provided with food and lodging along the way as well as easy transportation facilities.

Another spot being groomed for tourists is the picturesque hill station of Haflong in the North Cachar hills district. The project envisages development of eco-adventure tourism destinations along with a helipad.

This has also got the centre's initial nod, the sources said.

Also in the pipeline is a cultural heritage circuit covering Sarthebari, Patbausi, Barpeta, Konora, Bahbor and Sorbhog which are distinguished by their ethnic footprint.

The government's efforts will be supplemented by the construction of a five-star hotel in Guwahati, the city's first, by the Tatas, the foundation stone of which was recently laid by chief minister Tarun Gogoi in the presence of Tata group chairman Ratan Tata.

Two more five-star hotels are on the drawing board while the centre has already sanctioned a national level institute of hotel management at Jorhat and a food-craft institute in Samuguri of Nagaon district which are expected to be operational in the current financial year.

Another major project the state has undertaken at a cost of approximately Rs45 crore is the creation of rest room and other tourist facilities along national highways. The project will encompass national highways number 31, 37 and 52 in the first phase.

The government has planned to launch a massive promotional campaign both at the domestic and international level in 2010-11 through the electronic media.

Noted Assamese film director Jahnu Barua has been entrusted with the task of developing the theme of the campaign, they said.