The tourism directorate of Jharkhand has entered into a partnership with private parties to promote tourism in the state in a grand way.

To begin with, an 18-seater AC bus of the tourism department is now plying between Ranchi and Hundru Falls every day. Tourists are being taken to this breathtaking spot for a closer view of the cascade as per a report by Jaideep Deogharia in TOI.

To propagate the new service, some VIP guests are being ferried free of cost so that they can enjoy and spread the message that the state is no longer risky or unapproachable.

"We are providing packaged water, snacks and arranging the trip for a cost of Rs 250 per head," said R K Choudhary, secretary-general of the Jharkhand unit of Assocham, who entered into a contract with the state government for operating the service.

The AC coach, purchased by the department, is learnt to have been used for less than two months in the past five years for lack of an operator. Choudhary said the service to Hundru has obtained a warm response and that he plans to extend it to more destinations soon. "Instead of spreading the service beyond its manageable capacity, we decided to make it enjoyable over a small route. By the time the buses on longer routes are launched, the service would have already won the confidence of the people," he said.

Soon the bus facility will be launched for Bodh Gaya and Varanasi. Talks are on with operators in Kolkata to arrange trips for tourists from West Bengal to certain destinations in Jharkhand. "McLuskiegunj is one of the favourite destinations but because of Maoist activities most of the bus operators have withdrawn from that route," Choudhary said, adding that buses from the tourism department on that route are going to attract many tourists.

(You need to login first to read complete news).
New User? Register for FREE!
» Back to Travel News