CM Fadanvis promises to make Elephanta Island attraction for global tourists

Mumbai, Feb 23: Situated at a distance of 10 km from Mumbai and a UNESCO world heritage site, the Elephanta or Gharapuri caves electrification project was formally inaugurated at the hands of the Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis on Thursday evening.

The Chief Minister promised that this place will be made a global tourist attraction with all the facilities like cable car and mini train so that the tourists can enjoy their visit to this island.

He was speaking after dedicating the electrification of Gharapuri island with Padma Shri Dr Appasaheb Dharmadhikari. StateEnergy Minsiter Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Tourism Minister Jaykumar Rawal, Union MoS Defence Subhash Bhamre, Guardian Minister of Raigad district Ravindra Chavhan, MP Srirang Barne, MLA Prashant Thakur, Manohar Bhoir and other ndignitaries were present on the occasion.

Describing this as a memorable and historic moment, the Chief Minister said he was elated and proud to see the joy and smiles on faces of villagers at Gharapuri (Elephanta) island when they got power supply (electricity) for the 1st time after independence!

 

He said that the officials of energy department brought the best technology to electrify this island. For the first time in the country a under-sea cable was laid to ensure power supply to this historic site. But there is a scope for providing facilities to attract tourists here and the tourism department has sanctioned Rs 98 crore project for this. Work has already been started with sanctioning of Rs 2 crore, he said. We want this island to be of global attraction, he added.

The Chief Minister said that with a provision of jetty, roads and tourist resorts the visiting tourists can make a night halt here. Also with suitable training to the local people about providing bed and breakfast to them, employment opportunities can be generated. The government intends to introduce cable car and a mini train around the island so that the tourists can enjoy the natural scenic beauty of this historic world heritage site.

 

Earlier, the power supply was made through diesel generators by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) at a daily expenditure of Rs 26000/-. Now this amount is saved and can be used for providing facilities to tourists.

The Chief Minster praised the Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan for their active participation in this development & cleanliness to create a positive energy in the society.

Padmashri Appasaheb Dharmadhikari said that the Gharapuri island was in the dark even after 70 years of independence. Now the Chief Minister brought it into the light of freedom with the modern technology. He said that humanity was the greatest of the religions and each one must follow it. He also urged the people to acquire knowledge to enlighten their lives.

Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that efforts are on to make Maharashtra free of load-shedding and to provide electricity to tribal and remote areas. A special scheme is prepared for this and by December 2018 power supply will be available to all. LED bulbs will be placed on all the four sides of Gharapuri island in next three months.

The electrification project was dedicated by the Chief Minister and Appasaheb Dharmadhikari by pressing the button at the entrance of the village. Certificate of electrification were given to five individuals at the hands of the Chief Minister on a representational basis.

Introductory remarks were made by Managing Director of Mahavitaran Sanjiv Kumar. The Chief Minister felicitated Appasaheb Dharmadhikari. Presentation about Shivsamarth Memorial to be erected at JNPT was also made on the occasion. Principal Secretary of Energy Arvind Singh, Raigad Collector Vijay Surtavanshi and citizens were present on this occasion.

 

UNESCO world heritage listed Gharapuri Island is an important tourist spot and it is under the management of MTDC. Earlier the Island was provided electricity supply by diesel generator. Now a 7.5 km long 22 KV high tension 95 sq mm cable is laid under the sea by Mahavitaran’ Bhandup Zone with the financial support from MMRDA to provide uninterrupted power supply to this Island. For the first time in the state an under-sea cable of this type is laid and 200 kv generator is set up at Shetbandar, Rajbandar and Morabandar villages on this island.