Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam pens tourism plan

Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL) is planning to invite investments of over Rs 170 crore for development of tourist facilities at Kevadia, the Narmada dam site.

The facilities will be developed through private participation. The Nigam will seek approval of the Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) later this month for the programme and float expression of interest by July.

"To make the investment viable, the Nigam has worked out 11 packages to be proposed in the first phase of the project. This include water parks, hotels, golf courses, botanical garden with cottages and camping facilities, theme park with cottages and trekking facilities, cottages near wildlife reserves, boating decks, view point restaurant and visitors' centres. The project is expected to be completed in the next three years," said S K Mohapatra, managing director of the Nigam.

The master plan for the project has been developed by the Centre for Environment Planning and Technology, Ahmedabad, and is based on an ecological approach.

The plan has identified potential locations and activities for the development of the area in an environmentally sustainable manner, the authorities said.

The Nigam has identified six modules for the development of the area. This include accommodation facilities, recreational areas, water-related activities, trekking and eco trails, golf course and visitors' centres.

The Nigam proposes to strengthen the internal infrastructure of the area in terms of internal roads and access points. The Nigam is planning to undertake development of agro-forestry, medical plants, select manufacturing and processing activities, convention centre and a yoga university in the second phase.

The Nigam proposes to select private developers for development of facilities through a transparent, merit-based, and fair bidding process, officials said.

Interested players would be given the opportunity to visit the site and provided inputs on the nature of concessions and support solicited.

"The Nigam believes that the dam environs present a highly attractive tourism business opportunity to the discerning investor and developer as the Gujaratis are one of the highest travelling people in the country. Also, water sports and water-related tourism is possible at the site and will be a good attraction for the people of Gujarat," said Mohapatra. The Nigam is a special vehicle created by the government of Gujarat for implementing the Sardar Sarovar Narmada project at Kevadia in Narmada district.