The Union Minister of State for Tourism and Defence, Ajay Bhatt said that the Tourism ministry will provide any required assistance to Uttarakhand for facilitating tourism in the inner line areas. He said that a proposal for this should be sent to him. The minister said this while visiting the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) along with the States Tourism minister Satpal Maharaaz here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhatt emphasised on the need for finding destinations of tourist interest and developing such locations across the state. He said that this is important for developing the economy of the state. Inner line areas where the tourists are considerably interested due to historical aspects should also be identified. He said that proposals should be sent to him for any assistance required from the ministry in this regard.

Expressing his views, Maharaaz stressed on the development or religious tourism along with various different circuits like Mahabharat, Ramayana and Vivekanand circuits. Both the ministers also spoke of developing the Kainchi Dham temple in Nainital district, stating that it has elicited global interest and been a popular destination for visitors. Bhatt and Maharaaz also spoke of developing border area tourism to raise the living standards of the local inhabitants. The ministers also agreed to pursue the matter of giving the status of Central IHM to the State IHM in Dehradun. Stress was laid upon the importance of swift development of road, rail and water transport in the state.