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Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Ropeway in Himachal Pradesh becomes lifeline for flood-hit Mandi
The Mata Baglamukhi Ropeway becomes the lifeline of the Pandoh area of the Mandi district after a cloudburst and resultant floods washed away most of the roads and bridges. Ropeway in Mandi has become a crucial mode of transport, with over 5,000 people using the service in recent days.(PTI/Representational Image) The government is providing free ropeway transportation to people from all 12 panchayats of the Seraj Assembly constituency in Mandi district, ensuring continued connectivity and support during the crisis. The resident manager of RTDC (Ropeways and Rapid Transport System Development Corporation), Kush Vaidya, said that the ropeway in Mandi district has become a crucial mode of transport for residents affected by flash floods, with over 5,000 people using the service in recent days. Vaidya said the facility, initially free for two panchayats, is now available at no cost to all 12 panchayats of Seraj Vidhan Sabha on the direction of the Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri. Though the ropeway spans just 750 meters, it helps residents avoid a difficult 12-kilometre journey due to damaged roads. Also read: Himachal: Sukhu calls for speedy rehabilitation of flood-hit Mandi Speaking to ANI, Kush Vaidya said, "initially it was free for two panchayats only but now this is free for all residents of 12 panchayats of Saraj Vidhan Sabha as Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri had visited here after the floods and asked us to make the service free of cost for one week. 5,000 people have used this facility in recent days. Though the total length of the Ropeway is 750 meters but people use it to avoid a 12 Km travelling." A resident of Saraj, Bhoop Singh said that the ropeway has become a lifeline after roads and bridges were washed away. Singh said has provided crucial relief in these difficult times, helping people transport essential supplies when all other routes are blocked. "This ropeway has helped us a lot. If we did not have this, we would have been totally helpless. After this grave disaster, all our roads and paths have been washed away, restricting vehicular and foot movement. Bridges have also been washed away. It was because of Jairam Thakur that this ropeway was built, and it is helping us in these testing times. We use it to carry essentials and supplies on our backs. It's been a huge relief during this disaster," Singh said. Himachal Pradesh has witnessed significant devastation since the onset of the monsoon, with 91 people losing their lives between June 20 and July 10, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). In its latest Cumulative Loss Report, the SDMA noted that 55 of the deaths were directly attributed to rain-related disasters such as landslides, cloudbursts, flash floods, drowning incidents, and electrocution. An additional 36 deaths occurred in road accidents triggered or worsened by adverse weather conditions.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Employees see red over RTDC's blanket leasing plan of properties
1 2 Jaipur: The decision by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) board to lease out all its properties, irrespective of whether they are loss or profit making, has raised questions among employees, who allege that the Budget announcement is being wrongly interpreted. In the 2025-26 Budget, the state govt had stated that all properties that were not operating profitably would be restructured with the help of the private sector, according to employees. Now, they have raised apprehensions that the govt would proceed with leasing out even the 14 properties that were profitable in 2024-25. The corporation has a total of 72 properties. Out of this, 31 units, which are mostly hotels and include cafeterias and tourist transport services, are operational. Fourteen of them had made profits in 2024-25. Some of the loss-making units had reduced losses to negligible levels and are likely to make profits with a little push. The RTDC properties made a profit of Rs 6.88 crore during 2024-25, contrary to the narrative that these were a drag on the state's exchequer. It has also shown that loss-making units can be turned around to make profits. Currently, the corporation has identified 37 hotels to be leased out. However, the process has been dragging on as RTDC does not have land titles for most of the hotels, without which they cannot be leased out.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
More tourism marts needed: Diya Kumari
Jaipur: After announcing financial support for a travel mart in Kota, tourism minister Diya Kumari said that organising events in other cities will increase tourist inflow into the state. Chairing a review meeting of the department Thursday, she said that along with building a war museum in Jhunjhunu district as per the Budget announcement, there is a need to build another grand war museum in western Rajasthan. Underlining the importance of light and sound shows, she said more tourist sites should have these facilities. The meeting was attended by principal secretary-tourism and chairman of RTDC Rajesh Yadav, commissioner tourism and MD RTDC Rukmani Riar, and other senior officials of the department.
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Business Standard
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Rajasthan govt to soon bring out a policy to boost film production
Rajasthan is planning to come out with a policy soon in a bid to boost film and television production in the state. Diya Kumari, the state's deputy chief minister who also holds the tourism portfolio, has directed officials to finalise the policy, alongside working on plans to boost adventure tourism in the state. This will be the second attempt at such a policy — according to a tourism department official, the first dedicated policy for film tourism had been issued in 2022 to attract film shootings and production. The new policy will include ways of easing the processes involved in obtaining approvals for shooting and disbursement of subsidies. The state has consistently attracted filmmakers from around the world due to its scenic locales like forts, palaces and sand dunes. 'Classics like Mughal-e-Azam (1960) and Guide (1965) were shot in the state. Endless scenes of dunes, drying chillies and village locations are commonplace for films with a rural setting. Even some of the blockbuster television serials and advertisements have Rajasthan as their backdrop,' a tourism department official said. He added that Hollywood has also utilised Rajasthan's locations, with films like Octopussy (1983) and Holy Smoke (1999). Globally renowned director Satyajit Ray also shot a large portion of Sonar Kella (1971) in the state. The tourism department is also planning to map the potential of adventure tourism activities (water-based, air-based, and land-based), in consultation with concerned departments and prepare a dedicated policy to provide a framework to entrepreneurs to set up relevant projects in the state. According to an initial plan, the department will work closely with the forest department, the Rajasthan State Forest Development Corporation, local bodies, and the irrigation department for the development of adventure tourism activities. Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) will be the implementing agency for these activities.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Despite profits, RTDC hotels pushed towards privatisation
1 2 3 4 Jaipur: Despite making a profit of Rs 7 crore in 2024-25, RTDC hotels are considered loss-making to justify a move to lease them out to private players and not allocate resources to strengthen the corporation, which has over 400 employees on its payroll. A financial statement from RTDC mentioned that Rs 7.80 crore was paid as interest on loans and penalties for defaults against the corporation. The loans were taken in the name of RTDC, but the money was spent on tourism development and promotion activities, which were outside the ambit of the corporation. Out of the 31 units of RTDC, which include mostly hotels, along with cafeteria and tourist transportation services, 14 units made a profit in 2024-25. Some of the loss-making units have reduced losses to negligible levels and are likely to make profits with a little push. The 31 units made a total profit of Rs 6.88 crore during the financial year 2024-25, repudiating the narrative that these units are a drag on the state's exchequer. It also reveals that loss-making units can be turned profitable if support is provided. Currently, there are 37 hotels of the corporation identified to be leased out. However, the process has been dragging on as RTDC does not have land titles for most of the hotels, without which they cannot be leased out. The corporation has become an easy destination for "accommodating" people even if their roles are not required by the corporation. Such decisions have caused a financial drain on RTDC. These hotels have been a relatively cheaper source of accommodation in many tourist places in the state, while also meeting the requirements of govt departments. Many govt officials travelling to various districts can use the RTDC facilities and avoid expensive private hotels. This can save money for the govt while helping the corporation improve its profitability.
