Government of Maharashtra has approved the proposal to setting up an international level water tourism project in the reservoir of Gosikhurd dam project in Bhandara district recently. In a high level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, sanctioned a fund of Rs 101.95 crore for the proposed project recently. Gosikhurd is the most suited location for a water tourism project and a co-operation agreement between the Water Resources and Tourism Departments has been signed for the project. Due to this water tourism project, displaced people will get a big employment opportunity. Also, various opportunities will be created in the area. Since this is water tourism, care should be taken that there is no pollution under any circumstances.

 

The project will be implemented on Public Private Partner (PPP) basis. The government will provide a fund of Rs 53.37 crore for providing basic facilities in the tourism spot for public. The fund will be provided phase wise. Whereas, the private partners will fund Rs 48.57 crore in this project. All pollution related clearances are required by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) before implementing the project. Essential medical facilities will set up in the spot for public. The project implementing agency will take care that the project will set-up within the sanctioned fund. It is expected that the number of tourists will go up to 7 lakh every year in 2 years after the project starts.

 

Locally, investment in hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related industries will increase. It is estimated that the project will provide direct employment to 150 local youths in 2 years of its initiation and 5,000 job opportunities in the next four years. A better tourist circuit can be developed by connecting all tourist places with this spot situated in Bhandara district. The place is also connected by road to other places including Nagpur and Bhandara cities. All roads to the spot will be constructed by following the norms of Public Works Department (PWD). Tourist attraction facilities such as night cruise, boat house, jetty arrangement to connect Bhandara to Pavani tourist spots, musical fountain, facilities for boating, surfing, marina and ramp, rock pool, bumper ride, flying fish, etc. will be developed here.