Rs 228-crore push for state tourism

The state tourism department has been allocated Rs228 crore in this year’s budget to broaden its scope and develop the state’s untapped tourist spots.

The state tourism department has been allocated Rs 228 crore in this year’s budget to broaden its scope and develop the state’s untapped tourist spots.

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The money is meant for developing sites such as Lonar, one of whose tourist attractions is the world’s third largest crater, and Kaas, Maharashtra’s valley of flowers, near Satara.

“Through these allocations, we will be developing facilities such as lodging and boarding, which will allow tourists to stay and enjoy a short holiday,” said tourism minister Chhagan Bhujbal.

Along with these sites, the Konkan coast will also be developed to attract more tourists. The state has allocated money for building roads for connectivity, and even house-boats on the lines of those popular in Kerala.

The sea world at Sindhudurg — Konkan, an aquariam-based theme park, which has been given in-principle approval, finds mention in the budget.

The project, costing an estimated Rs510 crore, will have a walk-through tunnel oceanarium.