Cruise will not run in Pong Dam; Agreement made on Shikara and paddle boat

August 22, 2025

The plan to run a cruise in Kangra’s Pong Dam on the lines of Bilaspur’s Gobindsagar Lake has not been successful. Now only Shikaras and paddle boats will be able to run here. After September 15, tourists will be able to enjoy Shikara rides here. Initially, four Shikaras will be run. A big dam or sea is needed to run a cruise or mini cruise, but there is not enough water area available in Kangra to run a cruise. Since most of the area of ​​Pong Dam adjoining Fatehpur and Indora falls in the wildlife sanctuary. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, no commercial activity can take place in the wildlife sanctuary.

The Bhakra Dam Management Board has built the Pong Dam in Kangra, in which the state government has very little land apart from the wildlife sanctuary area. Other adventure activities including water sports are run here under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports under the Ministry of Youth Services and Sports. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu had instructed to prepare a detailed plan to promote tourism activities in Kangra’s Pong Dam on the lines of Bilaspur. Due to the restrictions of the Wildlife Protection Act, now there is a plan to run Shikara and paddle boat here. The Tourism Development Department has completed the contract and other formalities related to running Shikara with the concerned companies. The tourism business will start from September 15.

The facility of Shikara and paddle boat will start in Pong Dam after September 15. The contract of the company with the department and other formalities are almost complete. Most of the area of ​​the dam falls in the wildlife sanctuary. Due to this, there are technical difficulties in running cruise here. This matter has been raised at the government level. If permission is granted later, then the facility of cruise will also start here.