Province govt eager to develop Thori as tourist hub: Minister Yadav

Minister for Industry, Tourism and Forest in Madhes Province, Sunita Yadav, has said province government was eager to develop Thori as a tourist hub.

At a programme organized jointly by Hotel and Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Association, Birgunj and Thori Rural Municipality on role of stakeholders on Thori promotion here Monday, Minister Yadav viewed a perspective plan was being made to develop Thori as a tourism hub of entire country. “Only allocation of budget does not suffice. It needs a master plan to carry out,” he said, urging the people to be assured of future development of Thori as a touristy destination.

On the occasion, Chairman of Thori Rural Municipality, Lal Bahadur Shrestha, however, worried that although assurance of budget continued in the name of developing and promoting Thori Valley, the government policy and programmes failed to include it.

He reminded that erstwhile Chief Minister of Madhes Province, Lal Babu Rauta, announced that he would provide Rs 100 million for Thori area, but the government neither gave budget nor included it in policy and programme. Shrestha further added that local levels had expected much from the province government.

Chairman of FNCCI, Birgunj, Anil Agrawal, complained that most of the tourists there were from India. But, lack of atmosphere for spending is sheer hindrance on it. Multi-sectoral initiatives are required for it, he underscored.

At the programme presided over by Hotel and Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Association in Parsa, Hari Panta, UML leader Khagendra Shrestha urged all sides concerned to link Thori to tourism sector. For it to happen, industrialists and entrepreneurs should be provided investment friendly atmosphere.