Centre to develop Haridwar, Rishikesh as twin cities: Mahesh Sharma

DEHRADUN: Union Minister of State for Tourism Mahesh Sharma today said the central government would develop Haridwar and Rishikesh as twin cities to boost tourism.

Sharma today called on Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat at his residence here, during which he said the Union government would develop the pilgrim cities Haridwar and Rishikesh as twin cities, an official release stated.

Large number of foreign tourists can be attracted to Haridwar and Rishikesh if the Centre helps develop the ghats on the bank of the Ganga river, the Chief Minister said.

Rawat said that Uttarakhand can be developed as a major tourist destination of south-east Asia to which the Union Minister also "agreed", the release said.

Sharma, who was on a day-long visit to the state, also assured the state government of the Centre's support in developing Kedarnath and Tehri as popular tourist destination, the official released stated.

Tehri lake would be a famous tourist spot soon, the Union minister said.