Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) Ajit Pawar has issued directives to the state’s tourism department to create a comprehensive plan for the development of tourist attractions in Lonavala, including the installation of a glass skywalk at popular locations like Tiger Point and Lions Point. This move aims to boost tourism and enhance the visitor experience in the region. The decision was made during a meeting held at the state guest house in Mumbai, where tourism development in Lonavala and the Maval area was discussed.
DCM Ajit Pawar emphasized that the natural beauty of the Lonavala region draws a significant number of tourists. To cater to these visitors, it is essential to establish top-notch infrastructure, offering adventure activities and various amenities for families. He urged the tourism department to prepare a detailed project proposal, taking these aspects into account while ensuring that the project’s implementation does not harm the area’s environment. Immediate steps should be taken to formulate the proposal.
Given the substantial tourist influx, safety and environmental preservation should be paramount considerations in the proposal’s development, stated Ajit Pawar. He instructed officials to use paving stones instead of concrete materials to create walking paths for tourists and to include facilities such as parking in the proposal. The 2022 budget had already included plans for enhancing tourist facilities in Lonavala.
One of the significant proposals discussed was the construction of a glass skywalk at Tiger Point and Lions Point, spanning 4.84 hectares of land. The project envisions various facilities, including a Zip Line, Adventure games, Food Park, Amphitheatre, Open Gym, and more. The estimated budget for the entire project is around Rs 100 Crore.
The meeting saw the participation of several officials, including Sunil Shelke from the Planning Department, Nitin Kareer, Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department, Saurabh Vijay, Chief Secretary of the Planning Department, B. Gopal Reddy, Chief Secretary of the Forest Department, N.R. Praveen, Chief Forest Conservator of Pune division. Additionally, Divisional Commissioner of Pune Saurabh Rao, PMRDA Commissioner Rahul Ranjan Mahiwal, Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, the District Collector, and Kiran Indalkar, the District Planning Officer, attended the meeting virtually.
