Haryana’s Big plans for Games, Planning to Launch hot air ballooning

In a bid to promote adventure tourism and earn revenue from it during 2010 Commonwealth Games, Haryana government is planning to introduce facilities for hot air ballooning at Damdama, Suraj Kund and Badkhal lakes on public-private partnership (PPP) basis.

State tourism ministry has already floated tenders in this regard. According to local adventure tourism operators, as of now there is no permanent venue for hot air ballooning in the NCR and this move will boost tourism in the region.

‘‘Anticipating a huge rush of tourists and visitors during the Commonwealth Games, we have set the target of starting these facilities by then. The three locations have excellent connectivity with Delhi.

Though the locations will be finalized mutually, we feel these three spots have huge potential,’’ said tourism secretary Keshri Anand Arora.

Sources in the department said that there are two licensed players who have experience in commercial hot ballooning. The expression of interest (EoI) document states that the project will be based on sharing of resources and technical competence between the department and private players.

Meanwhile, State tourism department has also prepared a plan to set up temporary huts for tourists at the three sites in Faridabad during Commonwealth Games.