Rs 26cr tourism revamp in Morni Hills gathers pace

Panchkula: A year after the Union tourism ministry cleared over Rs 26 crore to turn Tikkar Taal and the Morni Hills Adventure Park into a full-fledged adventure tourism hub, the project has finally inched forward. The Haryana tourism department has completed the detailed project report (DPR) and issued a request for proposal (RFP) to select the agency that will execute the upgrade under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.The chosen agency will be responsible for developing and managing a wide range of facilities — from Swiss tents, gazebos and a 100-ft viewing tower to an open-air theatre, lighting systems, adventure activities and thematic attractions—aimed at reviving visitor interest and significantly upgrading the tourist experience.The project spans extensive renovation of existing buildings, creation of new visitor amenities, and strengthening of utilities, all while adhering to eco-tourism norms and safety standards.At Tikkar Taal, the plan includes organised parking, ticketing and food kiosks, toilet blocks, and major refurbishments to residential and restaurant structures. A Glass Walk, camping-area support structures, and watercourse channelisation with embankment protection have also been proposed to improve the site's safety and durability.At the Adventure Park, the focus is on overhauling ageing and damaged structures. Parking areas, entrance gates, reception zones, and attractions such as the Haunted House and Maze will be revamped. New additions include Swiss tents, mobile toilets, soak pits, retail spaces, a souvenir zone and a second viewing tower.Zip lines, rope courses, artificial wall climbing, upgraded lighting, surveillance systems, pathways, landscaping and comprehensive site grading form the backbone of the adventure and experiential component.Officials said the agency is expected to be finalised within weeks, after which work will begin. "Visitors will see a completely refreshed experience once the development is complete," an official said.The current problems include:- Inadequate parking; congestion and disorganisation on roads.- Lack of a sense of arrival at the entrance, and a need for proper segregation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. There is a need to improve connectivity to Tikkar Taal.- At the Tikkar Taal and Adventure Park area, there is a lack of adequate drinking water and toilet facilities.- Decline in tourist footfall: reduced attraction offerings, including poor maintenance, leading to diminished visitor experiences.- Disorganised visitor spaces: inefficient layout of eateries and play areas; low visual and thematic coherence.- Non-functional water features: neglected fountains and water channels reducing site ambience.- Environmental and aesthetic concerns: poor waste management, uncleanliness, and lack of landscaping elements.- Terrain and topography constraints: natural slopes, uneven landforms, and varying gradients pose challenges for safe placement of adventure structures, circulation paths, and service infrastructure.- Damaged facilities: at the Adventure Park, current facilities seemed to have lived their lifespan, and most are damaged.