MMRDA on Thursday drew an outline of the concept plan for development of the heritage site
When industrialist Anand Mahindra hosted some foreign business delegates recently, he had a real problem on hand: where to take them for sightseeing and recreation. Eventually, the Mahindra & Mahindra boss decided to fly them to Delhi to enjoy the tourist circuit around the national capital.
If the MMRDA and heritage conservationist Tasneem Mehta have their way, Mahindra may not face such a problem in future. Visitors to Mumbai could head for the Elephanta Caves, where they would not only see the ancient caves, but also savour the scenic beauty of Gharapuri Island. They would be able to enjoy recreational facilities like amphitheatres and eateries and take boating trips around the island in trendy little craft.
All this will come with better civic amenities for the inhabitants of Gharapuri Island who, in turn, have promised to help put the world heritage site on the global tourist map.
On Thursday, officials of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority visited the island and, with the inhabitants, drew a rough outline of the concept plan for comprehensive development of the heritage site. The island has a population of 1,000, which remains deprived of basic services like power, water, health, and education.
“We have asked Mehta to chalk out a more comprehensive master plan for overall development of the isle, which could be put up for budgetary allocation and execution at the earliest,” MMRDA commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad said.
Later, talking to DNA, Mehta, chairperson of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) welcomed the move. “I am delighted,” she said. “The place should be the ultimate tourist destination now. There are more stupas on the other side of the isle, but people hardly know of them.”
She promised a unique plan for the island based on Unesco and government guidelines.
Gaikwad said that besides a grant of Rs1.87 crore from the state government to recharge the groundwater, improve water supply, and restore the water dam on the isle, some more funds would be made available to create sustained power supply, build a 1.5km road around the isle, electrify the houses and roads, install solar systems, enclose pathways, do landscaping, clear garbage, and renovate jetties, shelters, eateries, amphitheatres and toilets.
“After the planning, state agencies like MTDC or Cidco would be chosen to implement it,” Gaikwad said.
