Shimla, Jan 16 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Monday entered into an agreement with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) for opening four restaurants in the state, an official statement said here.

A memorandum of understanding was signed by Arun Kumar, a director in the state tourism department, and Sohan Singh, the chief regional manager of the railways.

The restaurants in Shimla, Solan, Nahan and Suketi towns will start functioning from March 1. The IRCTC will provide catering service at the eating joints.

Later, railway ticket booking counters will also be opened at the restaurants, Kumar said.

He said the department has submitted a Rs.8-crore proposal to the union tourism ministry under which 32 wayside amenities would be developed in the state on the national and state highways.

Himachal Pradesh’s economy is highly dependent upon tourism, besides hydropower and horticulture.