Asia’s longest Zipline, Ice Skating Rink and daily flights: Himachal Cabinet clears tourism push
Shimla, Jan 19,
Signalling a strategic shift towards adventure-led and experience-based tourism, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet or Council of ministers on Monday approved a trio of decisions aimed at improving both attractions and access—clearing Asia’s longest zipline near Dharamsala, a new ice skating rink in Shimla, and daily regional air connectivity on key hill routes.
The Cabinet approved the construction of a 4.3-kilometre-long Naddi Zipline Project in Kangra district at an estimated cost of Rs 7.41 crore. Once completed, the project is expected to become Asia’s longest zipline, positioning Dharamsala as a flagship destination for high-adrenaline tourism and giving Himachal a competitive edge in the fast-growing adventure tourism segment.
Complementing this push, the Cabinet also gave its nod to the construction of a new ice skating rink in Shimla, reviving a winter sport that has historically drawn national and international attention to the hill capital. With climate variability increasingly disrupting natural ice formation, the new rink is expected to provide reliable winter activity, support athlete training, and strengthen off-season tourism.
Recognising that attractions alone are not enough, the Cabinet also approved daily operation of 46-seater aircraft by Alliance Air on the Delhi–Shimla–Delhi and Shimla–Dharamsala–Shimla routes. Improved air connectivity is expected to significantly reduce travel time for tourists, particularly weekend and short-stay visitors, while integrating Kangra and Shimla into a single, accessible adventure tourism circuit.
Tourism planners believe the combined impact of signature adventure infrastructure and predictable air access could increase average tourist stay, generate local employment, and reduce pressure on overcrowded road corridors during peak seasons.
With these approvals, the The Sukhwinder Singh sukhu led state Government has signalled its intent to move beyond volume-driven tourism towards a high-value, experience-oriented model better aligned with Himachal’s fragile geography.
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