Shimla, Feb 12 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday said that the world famous paragliding site Bir-Billing would be developed as a major adventure destination with funds from the Asian Development Bank.

Addressing a public meeting in Baijnath town in Kangra district, he said a Jal Shakti division would be opened in Baijnath to overcome the problem of water scarcity.

During his day-long tour of the Baijnath Vidhan Sabha area, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of developmental projects worth Rs 50 crore. Thakur also laid the foundation stone of three water supply schemes. He said adequate funds would be made available for time-bound completion of the developmental work.

The Chief Minister said the state has given consent to the central government for upgrading the Ayurvedic College in Paprola town to the level of AIIMS. He announced Rs 1.50 crore for constructing an auditorium in the college and also announced the opening of a police post at Bir.

He said they would discuss with the government of India the construction of a railway over bridge in the area.