Himachal ski village could go for open bids

It seems the Himachal Pradesh government still has more time in hand before the $250 million Himalayan ski village project deal is signed with a top American company,owned by a world-renowned business house.

Though the state government had agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Himalayan ski resort company last week, details of the deal are yet to come out. The Himalayan ski village company is owned by Alfred Ford, a descendant of the legendary American business tycoon Henry Ford.

Government officials said the details were still being worked out on the manner in which the multi-million dollar deal would be signed. If the deal sees the light of the day it can pave the way for other top global tourism players to invest in the hill state.

"We are yet to decide about water rights and other factors surrounding the proposed resort project, which is scheduled to be located at 8,500 feet above the sea level in the Kullu Valley," State Tourism Minister G S Bali told Business Standard.

But the project could be further delayed with a section of the government differing on certain issues concerning the project.

"This is one of the country's biggest tourism projects and to make it more transparent, open bidding should take place," a top government official told Business Standard.

The project proposal (of the ski village) was submitted at a Himachal Pradesh tourism conclave held last year in Shimla to attract private investments in the tourism sector.

According to a company official, "Some 100 hectares would be needed to build hotels, parks, malls, cable cars, ski slopes and even an airport, which would be constructed in the traditional Himalayan style architecture and without involving any displacement of people."

Once the ski village comes up, the company plans to hold international skiing tournaments. The proposed project, though not a part of the world famous Ford Motors, is, however, owned by the family.