Tourism projects in Thane get fillip from state

On Wednesday, Vijaykumar Gautam, principal secretary (tourism), visited the city and assured authorities of lending support for any tourism-related proposal

With various beautification projects lined up, the city of lakes is all set to transform into a tourist hub.

Nagla forest along Ghodbundr Road is a tourist draw. (HT File)

The Thane Municipal Corporation’s (TMC) projects to promote tourism in Thane got a major boost from the state.

On Wednesday, Vijaykumar Gautam, principal secretary (tourism), visited the city and assured authorities of lending support for any tourism-related proposal.

He also viewed presentations on several projects that will be implemented in the city.

The municipal corporation has taken up several ambitious projects such as waterfront development, tribal development centre in Yeoor, amphitheatre at Upavan and theme parks to boast tourism in the city. Proximity to Yeoor, Nagla and Tungareshwar forests also creates tourism opportunities in the city.

Sandeep Malvi, public relations officer, TMC, said, “Civic chief Sanjeev Jaiswal gave information on tourism-related projects such as water transport, waterfront development and emerging chowpatties, among others. Gautam gave directives to set up a tourism information centre at all the jetties in the city where tourism department can give information about the tourism spots in the city and maps to reach the locations.”

He also asked the corporation to provide a space near the multi-modal hub at Kolshet, where the state can give information on tourism destination in Thane, the nearby cities and the state.

Gautam also visited the tribal cultural centre at Yeoor and amphitheatre in Upavan.

“He also said that state and national-level programmes would be organised at the theatre. He has asked us to make a proposal for letting out the amphitheatre to the state cultural department for cultural events,” Malvi added. “He [Gautam] also surveyed the ongoing chowpatty development work at Nagla Bunder.

Environmentalist Kaustubh Darves said, “Tourism along the waterfront is a good idea as the area will be free of squatters. But Yeoor must be spared of development as it will disturb the natural habitat of wildlife. Forest department should intervene.”