Giving a mega boost to the tourism in Maharashtra, the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India has given its approval to two mega circuits viz. Solapur- Pandharpur – Akkalkot – Tuljapur mega circuit and Aurangabad mega circuit. These proposals were sent to the central ministry, along with many others, by the Government of Maharashtra in the year 2012-13. This is the first time that the centre has given an approval for two circuits in one financial year along with the release of the funds of about Rs. 79.84 crore for the tourism facilities to be created.
State’s Public Works and Tourism Minister, Chhagan Bhujbal had sent various proposals to the central government in order to develop the tourism sector in Maharashtra. In his frequent meetings with K. Chiranjeevi, Tourism Minister, Govt. of India, Bhujbal made consistent efforts to get approvals on the said proposals. As a result, Satara Circuit that includes Mahabaleshwar-Kaas-Bamnoli along with Agashiv Gunfa and Panshet Spot Development have been sanctioned in addition to the above two already approved circuits. Dhapewada-Paradsingha circuit and Grape-Wine Park Spot Development at Nasik are also likely to be approved soon by the centre.
Rs. 43.87 crores has been sanctioned for the Solapur – Tuljapur mega circuit. The work to be undertaken under the project includes establishment of Tourist Information Facility Centers at Solapur (Siddheshwar Temple), Pandharpur, Akkalkot and Tuljapur, internal beautification, parking facility, footpaths, roads, toilets, solid waste management facilities, sewage plants, drinking water facility etc.
Aurangabad mega circuit has received Rs. 23.50 crores and works to be undertaken includes building taxi stands at Bibi Ka Maqbara, Panchakki, Rose Garden, Nakkarkhana Gate, Daultabad Fort and MTDC office, development of Ajanta View Point and Ghat at Devgad in Nevasa tehsil along with Tourist Information Facility Center, parking facility, footpaths, toilets, ghat construction, Information and Signage boards, sewage plants etc. In addition to this, the central government has sanctioned Rs. 90 lakhs to provide tourists with green buses at Ajanta and Ellora.
Under the Satara circuit Rs. 8.1 crores have been sanctioned by the centre for works like solid waste management and drinking water facility at Mahabaleshwar, wire fencing to plateau, parking facility and watch tower at Kaas, compound wall and Tourist Information Facility Center at Bamnoli and solid waste management and parking facility at Agashi and Gunfa.
Rs. 3.60 crores has been sanctioned for developing Panshet, in Pune district, as a tourist spot. The development work includes construction of an Aquatic Park and similar works as above.
Apart from the above proposals, Maharashtra is awaiting the sanction of tourism related proposals of Grape-Wine Park Spot Development at Nasik (Testing centre, infrastructure development works for Grape-Wine festival) and Dhapewada – Paradsingha circuit (Ghat construction approach roads, electrification, toilets, footpaths, roads etc.)
