Haryana's Tikkar Taal & Morni Hills Adventure Park Set for Major Revamp
Panchkula: A year after the Union tourism ministry approved over Rs 26 crore to develop Tikkar Taal and the Morni Hills Adventure Park into a comprehensive adventure tourism hub, the project has taken a significant step forward. The Haryana tourism department has completed the detailed project report (DPR) and issued a request for proposal (RFP) to select an agency for execution under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.
Project Scope and Key Features
The selected agency will be responsible for developing and managing a wide array of facilities aimed at revitalizing visitor interest and enhancing the tourist experience. This includes:
- Swiss tents, gazebos, and a 100-ft viewing tower for panoramic views.
- An open-air theatre and advanced lighting systems to improve ambiance.
- Adventure activities such as zip lines, rope courses, and artificial wall climbing.
- Thematic attractions to create a cohesive and engaging environment.
The project involves extensive renovation of existing buildings, creation of new visitor amenities, and strengthening utilities, all while adhering to eco-tourism norms and stringent safety standards.
Specific Upgrades at Tikkar Taal
At Tikkar Taal, the plan focuses on improving infrastructure and safety:
- Organized parking, ticketing systems, and food kiosks to reduce congestion.
- New toilet blocks and major refurbishments to residential and restaurant structures.
- A Glass Walk and camping-area support structures for enhanced visitor experiences.
- Watercourse channelisation with embankment protection to boost site durability.
Enhancements at the Adventure Park
The Adventure Park will see a comprehensive overhaul of ageing and damaged facilities:
- Revamped parking areas, entrance gates, and reception zones.
- Upgrades to attractions like the Haunted House and Maze.
- New additions including Swiss tents, mobile toilets, soak pits, retail spaces, a souvenir zone, and a second viewing tower.
- Improved lighting, surveillance systems, pathways, landscaping, and site grading for better safety and aesthetics.
Addressing Current Challenges
Officials highlighted several issues that the project aims to resolve:
- Inadequate parking and road congestion, leading to disorganization.
- Lack of proper entrance segregation for pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and poor connectivity to Tikkar Taal.
- Insufficient drinking water and toilet facilities at both sites.
- Decline in tourist footfall due to reduced attraction offerings and poor maintenance.
- Disorganized visitor spaces with inefficient layouts of eateries and play areas.
- Non-functional water features like fountains and channels, reducing site ambience.
- Environmental concerns such as poor waste management and lack of landscaping.
- Terrain constraints like natural slopes and uneven landforms posing challenges for safe adventure structure placement.
- Damaged facilities at the Adventure Park that have exceeded their lifespan.
Timeline and Expected Impact
Officials stated that the agency is expected to be finalized within weeks, after which construction will commence. "Visitors will see a completely refreshed experience once the development is complete," an official remarked. The project is poised to transform the area into a premier destination, boosting local tourism and providing a sustainable, engaging environment for adventure enthusiasts.
