Our aim is to provide single-window clearance, says Tiwari

INTERVIEW/ N D Tiwari, Uttaranchal Chief Minister

Uttaranchal has been able to attract huge private investments since the state was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000. The state administration is also putting together a plan to boost infrastructure with better road, rail, and air links.

Besides, the state is also drafting a plan that will make it one of the most favoured tourist destinations in the country.

Chief Minister N D Tiwari spoke to Business Standard about the initiatives that the state has taken to make it one of the most industrialised states in the country.
Excerpts...

Uttaranchal has made progress in attracting investments in the tourism sector at a time when there has been a slump in company investment in the sector. What has been the major thrust of your strategy that has facilitated this?

We have formulated a policy of public-private partnership to drive investments in the tourism sector "" for example, the Corbett project, where 800 acres of land have been developed in partnership with the private sector.

In this model, we give land to the companies, which will develop infrastructure as well as projects. We are looking at replicating the model in various parts of the state.

We are taking a holistic approach to tourism development. The local community also will be involved in the projects. Besides, employment generation will be a major thrust area. We have identified locations that need to be developed. The state got about 1.2 million tourists last year, which is expected to grow by another one million this year.

The main challenge will be to make the tourists come throughout the year and stay longer. We are looking at developing a skiing resort near Uttarkashi, besides religious tourism, eco-tourism, and adventure tourism, to offer a wide variety of choices to visitors.

What are the plans for attracting private sector investment?

We have an extremely efficient bureaucracy. And, we have made rapid strides in the industrial sector. There are about 1,000 projects that are currently under way or are being planned. We have major investments from big companies like Hindustan Lever, Honda, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Yamaha. Now, the state is looking at attracting investments from major global companies.

We are setting up industrial parks in the country. Besides, an IT park will come up. These initiatives will see major foreign investments in the state. We have seen increased investment in the power sector also. This will go up considerably in the near future.

One of the main areas of concern is infrastructure, with not so good roads, air and rail connectivity. What are the plans in this regard?

We are taking steps to improve infrastructure. The road and rail links to the state will have to be improved and consultations are on with the Centre.

I accept that we do not have a world-class airport here. We are planing to expand the airport in Dehra Dun. It can now handle small aircraft and we want to develop the airport to handle large aircraft like A-320s.

We have written to the civil aviation ministry to upgrade the Dehra Dun airport to category B so that the scheduled air operators can start service here.

Air Deccan has promised to start air service to Dehra Dun. We are talking to other airlines also. Besides, there are a few airstrips in the state that have to be developed. We have approached the Airports Authority of India for this purpose. We are open to a public-private model for airports also.

What are the major thrust areas of your new industrial policy?

The main aim is to provide a single-window clearance to projects, improve infrastructure and connectivity, encourage private sector participation in infrastructure development, promote public""private participation in power generation and distribution, and develop the state as a major destination for education and research.

We want all-round development and industrialisation with increased employment. The growth will not be limited to certain pockets.

We are developing a promotional package for the small-scale industry, with the aim of integrating a new marketing and promotional scheme. The aim is to promote the sector in the export market. The state budget had key proposals to this effect.

The state government is also working towards increasing the size of industry and to help the sector adopt new technologies.