Mumbai : Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) the nodal agency for government of Maharashtra to develop and promote tourism in the state presented the tourism development plan for Mumbai city and suburbs.  The plan was presented to Municipal Commissioner, MCGM who is Chairman of the Mumbai Tourism development Committee. Shri Sitaram Kunte, Municipal Commissioner, MCGM who has actively been involved in this task, Dr Jagdish Patil, Managing Director, MTDC and other eminent members from tourism, hotel, and travel fraternity were also present.

MTDC appointed M/S Structwel Designers and Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and M/S Fortress Infrastructure Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd. as a consultant for preparing the tourism developing plan for Mumbai city and suburbs. The consultants carried out a comprehensive assessment of all the existing tourist destinations covering the whole of Mumbai. The consultants also prepared a comprehensive development plan that envisages various interventions at the existing destinations such as development of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, water sports facilities at major beaches etc. Further the consultants proposed various new tourism projects such as Mumbai Square, Rurban village, cruise tourism, bollywood theme park, Mumbai Haat, and conventions centers. The consultants also emphasized on improvement of basic infrastructure such as signages, illumination of important heritage buildings, tourist maps, public conveniences, street scaping and cycle tracks etc.

Dr Jagdish Patil, Managing Director, MTDC, has expressed his complete commitment towards the success of this plan as it would make positive impact on Mumbai in the long run. The main objective of the plan is to develop the sense of ownership and responsibility in the minds of locals towards tourism. MTDC wants tourism in Mumbai to bring a paradigm shift and look forward to come up with numerous initiatives in future. Both MTDC and MCGM will put the proposed plan on their websites for 15 days. It will be intended for citizen’s suggestions and their perusal. The MTDC officials are confident of meeting target and also the success of this plan.

Dr Patil further added that, “I am confident that this tourism development plan will serve as an important comprehensive planning towards achieving Mumbai as a tourism destination wherein every sector will experience even and simultaneous development, paving way for emergence of ‘Mumbai’ as the model region in India.”

While presenting to MCGM, MTDC proposed assessments of tourism projects in Mumbai and proposed interventions. MTDC further stressed on formation of Mumbai Tourism Development Board involving representatives from all stakeholders and government agencies such as MMRDA, MbPT, western and central railways, ASI, MSRTC, Forest department, MFSCDCL etc. In order to boost tourism in Mumbai, short and mid-level recommendations needs be prioritized first for completion in order to upgrade facilities as far as possible. The nodal agency tourism also suggested for new sites to be developed with help of private investors and therefore PPP projects must be encouraged.

Source : Mohsin Vadgama