Tourism corp charts out development plans

Government to develop Junagadh, Patan, Kutch into urban tourist destinations.

Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL) has charted out plans to develop Junagadh, Patan and Kutch into well maintained and organised urban tourist destinations.

Junagadh town, Sidhpur in Patan district, Patan town, Narayan Sarovar and Koteshwar in Kutch district are included in the plans. The government is aiming to maintain the architectural beauty of these tourism destinations without affecting the environment.

A series of renovations, beautification works and facilities like Tourist Information Centres, landscaping, construction of ghats, renovation of old buildings, paved walkways and gardens, parking facilities, illumination of heritage monuments, streets are included in the plans.

Junagadh, Patan and Kutch will undergo a massive renovation and beautification works. TCGL has identified three districts to be developed as these districts are traditional tourist destinations and attract massive numbers of domestic as well as foreign tourists.

"We have charted out urban development plans for the three districts of Junagadh, Patan town, Sidhpur in Patan district, Narayan Sarovar and Koteshwar in Kutch district. As per the plans, the total investment for the development will be Rs 21.75 crore. Sidhpur developmental works will take Rs 540 lakh, Junagadh Rs 8.2 crore, Narayan Sarovar-Koteshwar-Rs. 330 lakh and Rs. 485 lakh will go in beautification of Patan town," a senior official of TCGL told Business Standard.

"Junagadh town which has deep roots in the state's history will undergo a massive development drive and maximum investment will go there. The development will include development of tourist facilities for reactivating the heritage walk which will include Illumination of select historic buildings, special signage (historical design) module in concrete and inscriptions on stone core, construction of platforms of paved pathways, reorganising Circle Chowk, Diwan Chowk and Choksi Bazar and cobble stone paving at circle Chowk, Diwan Chowk, Sardar gate Chowk and Chowk front of Mamlatdar office," he said.

The historical Fort Wall of Junagadh will be repaired with the original traditional materials, restoration of Majewadi Gate and Sardar Gate are also included. The famous Uparkot will also developed with proper parking lots, landscaping and paved plaza near the entrance of Uparkot. Narsinh Mehta Sarovar will be renovated with viewing platforms.

Under the plans Sidhpur will have a modern Tourist Information Centre, landscaping, pavement of pathways and proper parking lots. Specially designed signages will be installed across the city which will not only direct the tourists but also give basic historical information about the place.

The river front will have a major beautification project which will cover all the historic religious places.

The famous Narayan Sarovar in Kutch will have new Ghats and gardens will be developed surrounding the lake. The Koteshwar temple will have paved pathways and renovation of approach roads as well as new landscaping. Narayan Sarovar is located a few kilometres from Chinkara (Indian Gazelle) Sanctuary which has great wildlife tourism value.

The famous tourist spot of Patan town Ran-ki Vav will be developed with major beautification and restoration works. Viramya Tekri, Sidhi Sarovar Tank and approach route to Kansada Gate will also be developed under this plan.

"TCGL has invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from architecture firms for these projects. October 15 is the closing date for accepting the EoIs. Till now we have received good response from private firms and most probably the development work will be completed within the next one year as per the plans," the official said.