By IANS,
New Delhi : The government Tuesday cleared a proposal to set up a national institute of mountaineering and allied sports (NIMAS) in Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh at a cost of Rs.81 crore.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with the aim of promoting adventure sports in the country.
The institute would be an autonomous body under the defence ministry, a statement issued here said.
The Arunachal Pradesh government has provided the land for the institute, which will give training for adventure activities on land, water and in the air. It is the first of its kind in the country.
“The expenditure on construction of various buildings at the site of the institute would be Rs.81 crore. It will directly provide employment to 89 people, mostly in the middle and lower level,” it added.
“Besides, it will generate further indirect employment in the region and will also boost the economy of the common people who would be providing day to day various services required to the institute,” it said.
“The systematical training in the activities will increase the number of visitors from all parts of the country to the remote areas of this border state and their interaction with locals will result in development of the region,” it added.
“This institute would be the first national institute of its kind where theoretical and practical training for activities relating to mountaineering, aero adventure and aqua adventure would be conducted,” the statement said.