TOURISM AND ENTERTAINMENT
NEW MHABALESHWAR
HILL STATION DEVELOPMENT
The Project : To develop the region from Mahabaleshwar to Koyna backwaters / Patan as New Mahabaleshwar Hill Station. The cost of the project is Rs. 6800.0 million rupees. ( USD 139.0 million) as per base year 2003. The proposed hill station will be located at 3 hours’ drive from Pune airport.
Project Description : Government of Maharashtra has identified the valley comprising of the Sahyadri range as the ridge on the western side and the national highway number 4, as the eastern boundary to be developed as the Lake District of Maharashtra. The climatic conditions in this region are moderate and pleasant throughout the year.
As a part of the phased development of Western Ghat, which has a plethora of historical places, forts and pilgrim centers, MSRDC has initiated the development of the region from Mahabaleshwar to Koyna backwaters / Patan as New Mahabaleshwar Hill Station. The region, has been identified so as to cover the most beautiful natural scenic locations, important historic places and thick green plantations. The climate in the region is pleasant throughout the year with the temperature of the area in the range of 15.8 degree centigrade to 31.8 degree centigrade.The main advantage of this region is the proximity to metro centers such as Mumbai and Pune.
Operating Agency Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Ltd. (MSRDC) Address : Napean Sea Road, Priyadarshini Park,Mumbai- 400 036 Tel : 368 6110, 386 6112, 368 8431 Fax : 3691036, 3684943 e-mail : [email protected] Website : www.msrdc.org Contact Person : Managing Director, MSRDC
Gestation Period The project will be implemented in phases over a period of 20 years.
Revenue The main source of revenue generation will be through sale of land. Other Generation sources of revenue generation will be as follows :
Maharashtra Infrastructure Summit 2002 1 TOURISM AND ENTERTAINMENT
1. Water source development and augmentation charges. Drainage connection charges. 2. Out right sale of reservation plots/urbanisable lands. 3. Road connectivity charges. 4. The entry tax for tourists. 5. Development charges. The revenue from all sources except from land sale will be utilized by the SPC towards operation and maintenance expenditure, whereas land sale will be the major source of revenue for capital expenditure..
Status of the Pre-Feasibility report is ready and is available with MSRDC. Project
Project Benefits Impetus to the tourism activity in the state. Generation of additional revenues for the government. Socio-economic development of Western Ghat of Maharashtra. Enhancement of the living standards of the people in the region. Effective use of the land and natural scenic attractions for the purpose of revenue generation.
Status of Government Clearances needed for Successful implementation of the project :
No List of Government Clearances needed Status 1. Approval from Government of Maharashtra . GR to be passed. MSRDC to be declared as the Special Planning Authority (SPA) for the project. 2. Acquisition and allocation of 1500 ha of land to SPA for the Decision under project by GOM. consideration of Revenue department. 3. Permission to SPA for acquisition of balance land and fund Decision to be taken by raising. Urban Development Department. 4. Formation of SPC. Will be done once the GR is issued. 5. Government guarantee for the funds raised for the project by To be decided by the SPA. finance ministry, GOM.
Once the GR is passed by GOM, all the above mentioned things will be taken care of.
Maharashtra Infrastructure Summit 2002 2 TOURISM AND ENTERTAINMENT Details of the Project : Location
The area near Koyna backwaters will be developed as New Mahabaleshwar Hill station. The hill station will be located at about 3600 sq.ft. (1200 meters) from MSL. The total area proposed for the hill station is 37263.0 hectar. The identified area is located between Mumbai-Banglore National highway no. 4 and Mumbai-Goa National highway number 17. The New Mahabaleshwar is connected to Mahabaleshwar on north and Patan on south. The area has picturesque view and back waters. The land scapes are eye catching and the unique feature of this area is presence of a large number of wind mills on hill tops. Development of eight nodes including a central node with a theme as per predominant land use pattern has been proposed. As per a preliminary market survey carried out through discussions with leaders in Tourism Industry, Architects, Planners and Policy Makers, the entrepreneurs will be interested in investing in tourist activities once the region is developed. On the basis of the market survey, following tourist activities are proposed in the region.