Developmental projects in Damdama to boost tourism in Haryana, says CM Khattar

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said his government is working out a plan for jungle safari in the Aravallis, and around 3,000 acres have been identified for the project

Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday said the state government is taking steps to develop Damdama into a major tourist destination and also making provisions for a jungle safari in the Aravallis.

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar takes a ride on a hot air balloon after inaugurating developmental projects in Damdama, near Gurugram on Saturday. (Parveen Kumar/HT PHOTO)

Khattar was speaking at the foundation-stone laying ceremony of the Centre for Adventure Tourism at Damdama, a village 25kms away from Gurugram known for its lake. The chief minister also inaugurated the two day aero-sports carnival at the camp, which will conclude on Sunday.

Speaking to the media, Khattar said his government is working out a plan for jungle safari in the Aravallis. Around 3,000 acres of land has been identified for the project and different departments are working on it.

“Work on this project will start soon. Steps will also be taken to ensure adequate water is made available for Damdama lake,” said Khattar adding that the Centre for Adventure Tourism in Damdama will attract visitors from across Delhi-National Capital Region and help in bringing development and employment to this region.

The jungle safari project was announced by the state government in 2016-17 but has seen little development since then.

Khattar further said facilities for camping and infrastructure for adventure sports, such as airstrip for paramotoring, aeromodeling, and water sports will be developed at the adventure centre.

“The roads from Sohna and Bhondsi, which connect Damdama to Gurugram and other parts of NCR, will be strengthened to improve access. The depth of the lake will be increased to ensure more water is available throughout the year,” he said.

The chief minister also rode the all-terrain vehicle, a hot air balloon and also witnessed an aeromodeling show.

Khattar said Haryana is a state which promotes sports and for this purpose, the government is planning to set up 1,000 sports nurseries. “I am happy that people of Damdama... have asked for a sports nursery to be set up in the village. The government school in the village will be upgraded to senior secondary school as soon as it fulfils the requisite norms,” said the chief minister.

Khattar said two new rooms and boundary walls of the school will be constructed this year in line with the demand of the locals.

Addressing the gathering, M D Sinha, principal secretary, tourism department, Haryana, said the Centre for Adventure Tourism-- being developed in collaboration with the Aero Club of India — is the brainchild of chief minister Khattar, who had proposed the idea during his previous visit to Damdama. “This centre is being developed over 19 acres and similar centres will be set up across Haryana,” said Sinha.

Sohna MLA Sanjay Singh, who was also present during the inauguration of the sports carnival, said the adventure sports centre will give economic boost to the area and create more employment. “The people of the area are very happy as the Centre for Adventure Tourism will help promote Damdama as a go-to tourist spot,” said Singh.

Later, the chief minister also launched a clinic on wheels, a bus donated under corporate social responsibility by SBI Life and Grow Diesel. The bus will be used to provide health care facilities to the people in the region, said officials.