Jaipur: In a concerted effort to diversify Kota’s economy, long dependent on the coaching industry, the state govt and the private sector have come together to promote tourism in the lesser-known and underexplored Hadauti region, with a special focus on the Chambal river belt.The initiative received a shot in the arm following an announcement by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to denotify certain stretches of Gharial Sanctuary restrictions along the Chambal river to facilitate infrastructure development and better leverage the region’s tourism potential. The announcement was made in the presence of nearly 600 tour operators from various parts of the country who gathered for the first Kota–Hadauti Travel Mart, which kicked off Friday.Ashok Maheshwari, President of the Hotel Federation of Rajasthan (Kota Division), said, “The decision could pave the way for regulated river-based tourism, eco-friendly cruises and heritage circuits, positioning the Chambal as a new attraction on Rajasthan’s tourism map.”The push assumes added significance at a time when Kota’s coaching industry is facing headwinds triggered by student suicides.Surendra Singh Shahpura, patron of the association, said the challenges confronting the coaching sector opened up a major opportunity for tourism and for the economy of the entire Hadauti region.“The coaching boom might have overshadowed the tourism potential. But as it rationalises, the opportunities are now becoming visible. The event opened the eyes of tour operators to the unique tourism riches of the region,” Shahpura said.Despite good road and rail connectivity, the coaching city has so far lacked an airport, a gap that is expected to be bridged in the next couple of years as work has already begun. The govt identified 700 acres of land for the proposed airport.Ranvijay Singh, senior Vice President of the Hotel Federation of Rajasthan, said, “Besides the airport, around 25 hotels are under construction now. When the riverfront opens for tourism activity, it can match any other premium destination.”However, environmentalists expressed concerns over commercial activity potentially polluting the Chambal river, from which the city draws its drinking water. Brijesh Vijayvergaya, convenor of Chambal Sansad (Parliament), Kota, said, “We are afraid of polluted and drain water flowing into the river, which is the source of water for many people.”
Govt, pvt sector join hands to promote tourism in Kota | Jaipur News
