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Pune Tourism
Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation To Spend Over 9 cr To Upgrade Resorts Around Pune
By akansha, Section Pune Tourism
Posted on Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 03:34:35 AM EST
 A week after the state transport (ST) decided to restart its service to major tourist spots in the state, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has undertaken a major expansion and upgradation drive to spruce up some of its well-known tourist hubs.
Among the beneficiaries of the Union government largesse of 9 crore+ (complete estimate not known yet) are MTDC resorts at Mahabaleshwar, Panhala (Kolhapur), Karla and Dajipur. Karla and Panhala resorts will witness additional outdoor activities under the plan.
An MTDC official said, "The Union government's tourism ministry has sanctioned over 7 crore for the overall development of tourist places around Kolhapur. Developmental works have been undertaken at Panhala fort, Bhavani Mandap besides upgradation of a historical temple at Khidrapur."
All these places will have tourist guidance buildings, boards displaying the history of the place and maps of the entire area, besides walkways and security walls. The MTDC will also build additional toilets and sufficient benches for tourists.
"The upgradation work at Bhavani Mandap in Kolhapur is in the final stage while remaining works are expected to be completed by November-end," the official said.
Source: Times Of India By Sarang Dastane MTDC to spend over 9 cr to upgrade resorts around Pune
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Govt Mulls Three Trips Per Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa
By akansha, Section Pune Tourism
Posted on Thu Mar 18, 2010 at 11:59:24 PM EST
Following a barrage of complaints and criticism over the recent tightening of visa norms that now stipulate a two-month cooling-off period before a multiple-entry tourist visa holder can re-enter India, the government is actively considering several new proposals to deal with the matter, including capping the number of trips at three per multiple-entry tourist visa.
As per sources, the government is mulling over the introduction of a trip-based system wherein the holder of a multiple-entry tourist visa would be allowed to make only three trips during the validity of the visa (which could either be 90 or 180 days, as the case may be). Under this system, the two-month cooling off period would be done away with and a holder would be entitled to make three trips to India on a multipleentry tourist visa as long as it is valid. After having made three trips during the visa validity, the holder will have to seek a fresh visa.
With a mechanism like this, the government not only hopes to enable the security agencies to effectively monitor the periodicity of the trips by foreign visitors on tourist visas but also detect misuse. Realising that genuine tourists should not be inconvenienced, the government is hoping to put those misusing multiple-entry tourist visas under the scanner.
The government had earlier clarified that a foreigner who exited after availing the facility of two or three entries within the stipulated period and sought re-entry within the two-month gap would be permitted to visit only in emergent situations like death, serious illness in family, unavailability of connecting flights. Such a request had to be backed by proper documentation.
Source: The Indian Express By Raghvendra Rao Govt mulls three trips per multiple-entry tourist visa
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No Change In New Tourist Visa Norms: Govt
By akansha, Section Pune Tourism
Posted on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 09:03:21 PM EST
A day after minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor questioned the tightening of visa rules against the backdrop of the David Coleman Headley case, home ministry officials appeared to be in no mood to relent on the new visa rules for tourists, saying the government would not like to compromise with the country's security interests.
Citing the changes made by several countries like US and UK after terror strikes on their soil, senior officials here argued that it should be left to the home ministry to chalk out plans for securing the nation.
Ministry officials pointed out that the government had so far not received any formal complaint from any country, including the US or the UK, after the new visa rules were implemented. Only a few clarifications had been sought by Washington and they have been addressed, they said.
"When some foreign missions based in India sought clarity, we told them that if someone has to worry about tourist arrivals, it is India and not any other nation," said an official.
As per the new visa rules, no tourist having a travel document valid for 180 days would be allowed to return to the country before a cooling-off period of two months.
Source: Times Of India No change in new tourist visa norms: Govt
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Police Gear Up For Weekend Rush
By akansha, Section Pune Tourism
Posted on Thu Dec 24, 2009 at 12:21:10 AM EST
 The Lonavla police is gearing up to deal with an influx of tourists likely to visit the hill station over the long weekend, beginning on Friday. According to the Pune rural police, around 1.5 lakh people are likely to visit Lonavla and Khandala.
Speaking to TOI, inspector Balraj Lanjile of the Lonavla police station said, "We are accustomed to the heavy rush every weekend, particularly during long weekends, and we are prepared for it. However, we expect people to enjoy their holidays in a decent manner and not cause trouble to others."
Lanjile said that the rural police have deployed 130 policemen in the town to control the crowds. The police will take firm action against tourists who carry alcohol and indulge in reckless behaviour in public. "We have prepared 10 special squads to keep an eye on the public. These squads will patrol the city this weekend and on December 31."
Heavy police bandobast has been deployed in the city and an extra force of 100 policemen has been summoned. The police have already started patrolling the accident spots. To avoid traffic snarls, heavy vehicles have been banned from the city for the three days. This traffic will be diverted from Valvan exit point, via the Pune-Mumbai express highway, Lanjile said.
Every year, a number of tourists drown in the lakes in the area, among them Bhushi dam, Ghubad lake, Dukkar odha and Gidhad lake. "Many tourists drown under the influence of alcohol. We have decided to check all the vehicles coming into these area from Thursday night. We have two breath analysers with us and if we find alcohol we will not allow the tourists into the dam areas," Lanjile said.
"We have deployed two special teams to patrol the area near Bhushi and Lonavla dam. We have also deployed vehicles in the area. Unruly persons will be detained and brought to the police station," Lanjile said. "We expect the number of people to be quite high so have taken a hall near the police station in order to keep them in our custody," he added.
Source: Times Of India Police gear up for weekend rush
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Traditional Tours Are A Passé. The New-Age Guides Will Take You To Places Unexplored
By akansha, Section Pune Tourism
Posted on Fri Sep 11, 2009 at 03:10:47 AM EST
 At a time when tourism has become a serious business, there is certainly more to it than taking visitors to one dilapidated fort or the other. Aiming to offer visitors a unique opportunity to discover the state the lifestyle of its people, their customs and traditions, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) last year had initiated the `Mahabhraman' plan.
In its second year now, the initiative, according to the MTDC officials, has received enthusiastic response from travel aficionados from India and abroad. "The response has been very good as there are tourists who want to see Maharashtra in all its glory and not just a few choice tourist spots," says Rajan Momin, deputy general manager, MTDC.
Under the initiative, enterprising farmers, groups as well as NGOs are experimenting on novel and unique concepts of tourism, highlighting the multifaceted character of Maharashtra, showcasing farmers' lifestyle, challenging rockfaces of Sahyadri, whistling winds of forests, roaring mighty rivers, mysterious yet colourful life under the sea, the arts, crafts, fairs and festivals.
As part of `Mahabhraman', service providers, who have a unique tour to offer, can apply to the MTDC. "The service providers, first and foremost, need to have something unique to offer. They should also provide detailed information on the tours and inform about the amenities to be provided to the tourists," says Akhilesh Shukla, manager, MTDC.
Source: Times Of India Showcasing Maharashtra in all its hues and shades
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Campaign To Promote Tourism In State
By akansha, Section Pune Tourism
Posted on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 03:14:22 AM EST
 To encourage tourism in the state, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has organised a month-long promotional campaign in association with India Tourism called `Explore Incredible Maharashtra' from September 1.
"The outbreak of the H1N1 flu in the state, not to forget the economic slowdown has affected tourism in the state quite extensively. We want to give the sector a push and this promotion is a way to revive the industry and get it up and running," said Vijay Chavan, the general manager of MTDC. The promotion involves setting up displays at the Mumbai office of India Tourism located in Churchgate.
"Our aim is to give both domestic and international tourists an insight into what Maharashtra has to offer in terms of art and culture including our cuisine," said Chavan. He further said that the promotion was also meant to show the variety the state had to offer in terms of different places to visit and then plan their trip accordingly.
The promotion will also involve a number of cultural programmes every week. "Exclusive art and traditional craft, textiles, dance and music of Maharashtra will be on display during the celebrations. Hundreds of visitors and foreign tourists visiting the India Tourism office in September will be able to explore all of this," Chavan added.
Source: Times Of India Campaign to promote tourism in state
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Birth Places Of Social Reformers Become Tourist Destinations
By akansha, Section Pune Tourism
Posted on Mon Aug 31, 2009 at 03:23:25 AM EST
 A sculpture placed at Jnanajyoti Savitribai Phule Shilp-shrishti, developed at Naigaon village in Khandala tehsil of Satara district by MTDC
In order to revive the memories of Savitribai Phule and Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe, Pune division of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has turned their birth places into tourist destinations.
MTDC has constructed art complex at the birth places of these social reformers, which house beautifully crafted wall sculptures based on their lives.
"Jnanajyoti Savitribai Phule Shilp-shrishti, an art complex spread over sprawling 7000 square-feet area, has been constructed near the historical home of Savitribai Phule at Naigaon village in Khandala tehsil of Satara district, some 50 km from here," senior regional manager of Pune, MTDC, H K Hede told Sakaal Times.
"The art complex, constructed at the cost of around Rs 91 lakh, houses 14-wall sculptures narrating the entire life journey of Savitribai, hailed as pioneer of women education in pre-independence period," he said.
Also, MTDC has raised a similar project at Wategaon in Sangli district, the birth place of Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe. A Rs 42 lakh-project has been constructed alongside the renovation work of home of Sathe.
Sunil Deore, an artist from Aurangabad in Marathwada region, has prepared all the sculptures placed in both the art complex.
Both these projects, which have been raised by MTDC under 'its Regional tourism scheme', were inaugurated formally recently.
Through these projects, MTDC aims to provide more information about the life and work of these social reformers to tourists visiting their birth places.
Source: Sakaal Times Birth places of social reformers become tourist destinations
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Standardisation Of Agri-Tourism In Pipeline
By Riti, Section Pune Tourism
Posted on Thu May 21, 2009 at 10:25:04 PM EST
To avoid promotion of illegal activities, like rave parties, under the guise of agri-tourism, the Maharashtra State Agriculture and Rural Tourism Co-operative Federation (MART) will soon introduce a set of standards for agricultural and rural tourism. All farmers or organisations wanting to enter the trade will have to seek accreditation from MART.
MART is working as a nodal agency for promotion of agri-tourism and rural tourism in the state.
Talking to TOI, Pandurang Taware, managing director of MART, said, "Seeking accreditation from MART will be mandatory for all those to who wish to practise agri-tourism in the state."
As per the norms, farmers who wish to enter the trade will have to approach MART. Then, MART officials will visit the farm to check the facilities available there. MART will decide on allotting accreditation in its general body meeting.
Explaining the need for an accreditation to practise agri-tourism Taware said, "Sanction is important to maintain the purity of the concept of agri-tourism. Some organisations/individuals promote illegal activities under the banner of agri-tourism. People working in the field have realised that rave parties or drug parties are a big threat to the business and rural areas can be more vulnerable to such activities."
Taware said that the guidelines will stress on keeping the area safe. "Norms will be made to ensure that the area chosen for business is hygienic; information about all tourists, Indian and foreign, is provided to local police stations and local governing bodies; alcohol, tobacco, drugs or other addictive substances are not be used," he said.
People associated with agri-tourism have welcomed the idea of getting an accreditation from MART.
"We are not running a restaurant or dhaba. People should know how a farmer lives, so we have to maintain some discipline," Sudhir Jadhav, district co-ordinator of MART for Solapur district, said.
Echoing similar sentiments Raju Bhandarkavathekar, a farmer in the Solapur district, said that if the farmers maintain the dignity of this tourism then it will be very easy for them to promote rural Maharashtra. "People who are co-ordinating and running agri-tourism should keep their tourists' activities under control. The MART guidelines would really help people."
According to MART, there are 72 agri-tourism units in the state. These units are spread in Konkan, western Maharshtra, north Maharshtra, Vidharbha and Marathwada regions. The annual turnover of these units is around Rs 30 crore.
Source:The Times Of India Standardisation of agri-tourism in pipeline
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Govt Asks Hotels To Reduced Tariff Rates To Beat Decline In Foreign Tourist Inflow
By Sindhiya, Section Pune Tourism
Posted on Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 10:03:02 PM EST
Amid the first signs of a slowdown in the foreign tourist arrivals in the country because of the global financial crisis, the Government on Wednesday asked hotels to cut down on their room tariffs as an incentive to tourists coming to India.
At a meeting to assess the impact of the global financial meltdown on the tourism industry in India, the Government suggested that hotels slash their tariffs by 10 to 15 per cent. Sources said representatives of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India, who were present at the meeting, were agreeable to the idea and promised to get back with their decision in a day or two.
The Government's move comes in the wake of a definitive slump in the growth of tourist arrivals in the last month. In October this year, the number of foreign tourists coming to India was 4.53 lakh. This was a mere 1.8 per cent rise over the corresponding figure for October 2007, which stood at 4.45 lakh. In comparison, the increase in foreign tourist arrivals in October 2007, as compared to the same month in 2006, was 13.6 per cent.
Foreign tourist arrivals are increasing at a steady rate of 12-14 per cent every year and crossed the five million mark in 2007. The sudden slowdown being observed for the last two months has been attributed to a sharp decline in the tourist arrivals in Delhi and Mumbai, which together account for more than 50 per cent of the incoming tourist traffic.
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Destination Bhandardara: State Ready To Implement Its Rs 30Cr `Bhandardara Tourism Development Plan'
By Sindhiya, Section Pune Tourism
Posted on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 01:52:34 AM EST
With Rs 9-crore disbursement from the Union government, the state is ready to implement its Rs 30-crore `Bhandardara tourism development plan'. Tarachand Mhaske and Rupa Chapalgaonkar elaborate on what's in store for the tourists
 Bhandardara, a picturesque hill station located in Ahmednagar district, about 120 km from Pune, is in for a facelift. The state government plans to wrap up the development plan in two phases over the next three years.
One of the first steps taken by the state is the creation of three tourist reception centres to provide accurate information about the place, and to disseminate information among tourists. Each of these centres will be managed by an employee of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). The centres will be located at Igatpuri, Ghoti and Rajur, and will cater to tourists from Mumbai, Nashik and Pune. Besides the centres, a `nature information centre' and a gas-based boating facility in the dam is also on the cards.
Just five km away from Bhandardara dam lies Murshet village. Covered with thick forests from all sides, the 150-acre table land area, right in the middle of the village, is the place identified to be developed into a tourist hub. The plan includes construction of cottages for 50 families and three restaurants. Beside this, information cenrtres, tours and travel booking centres, and a conference hall for 200 people will form an integral part of the plan. An Ayurvedic health centre, and an Adventure sports paragliding centre have also been planned, besides a permanent helipad for hi-fliers and foreign tourists.
For those who wish to experience tribal living, the nearby Uddawane village will prove to be the ideal spot. It will host a tribal village replica exhibiting various facets of tribal life on 12 acre of land and will have 15 huts to accommodate tourists.
The second phase of the plan involves development of places close to Bhandardara, which includes forts such as Harishchandragad, Ratangad and Bhairavgad. The Amruteshwar mandir, Kokan Kada, Randha fall and Kalsubai areas too will be spruced up. The government intends to promote adventure sports activities in a big way in these regions, which include rock climbing, rappling or trekking. In order to facilitate adventure sports, the tourism body is already building a team of adventure sports trainers that include local adivasi youths.
The state also plans to create 30 new points in and around Bhandardara as part of the facelift project.
Source: Times News Network April-06-08
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Slum Tourism Or Reality Tours, Opinion Is Split
By Dr arvind, Section Pune Tourism
Posted on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 12:13:44 AM EST
Tours to slums, which are getting popular, are being seen as a way to support the needy; but critics say it's unethical
Shekhar Saini points to a small juice shack lined with bananas, apples and oranges. He then directs the eyes of his Australian tourists to the flattened cardboard boxes laying on top of the small stand on a platform in the New Delhi railway station. "That's where some of the street kids sleep at night," he says loudly over the drone of a train rumbling into the station. "You have to be clever when you live on the street."
Saini would know. He ran away from Bihar when he was 12, and lived at the station for several years. He ran away because his smoking and gambling had brought shame to his middle-class family. Now 21, Saini works as a tour guide for Salaam Baalak Trust, a non-profit that provides support to street and working children.
The Rs200 two-hour tour goes through Paharganj and the New Delhi railway station, where Saini says more than 200 children, some as young as five, live. While sharing his story, Saini points out how street children eat, sleep and face issues like prostitution, gang-life and drugs.
In the past few years, "reality tours" such as Salaam Balaak Trust's have been popping up in major cities across India.
A Mumbai company runs a tour where sightseers are taken to Dharavi, Asia's biggest slum. Global Exchange, an international human rights organization, arranges reality tours in over 30 countries, including India.
These tours have become popular among travellers, evidenced by listings in popular sightseeing books such as Lonely Planet and Rough Guide. But while these trips are designed to create awareness, some critics say they're merely voyeuristic, intended for weal-thy tourists to gawk at India's poverty and maybe even come away with a pretty picture.
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TAFI Eastern Region Chapter To Start Helpline For Tourists
By siddharth22, Section Pune Tourism
Posted on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 12:29:11 AM EST
TAFI Eastern Region is coming up with a helpline to provide assistance to tourists. The 24x7 helpline will be launched in April this year and will provide information for all travel related issue like accommodation, foreign exchange, passport, visas, customs, immigration, flight schedules and changes. The concept of the helpline was conceived in December last year and currently logistics are being worked out.
On the target audience Anil Punjabi, Chairman, TAFI, Eastern Region, said, "We have been receiving several queries especially from domestic travelers. They face issues, which are unavoidable and have to be dealt with immediately. We will make sure that this 24X7 helpline is backed by the most educated travel team to equip the travelers with the best solutions." TAFI Eastern region chapter is setting up a centralised system for the helpline.
On the promotional plans, Punjabi commented, "We have tied up with the media to publicise the helpline number. Also we will be requesting all our members to publish the number on the materials they disburse such as the ticket, brouchers etc. We are also planning to get members of other major associations to do the same as the helpline will benefit all travelers."
Source:http://www.travelbizmonitor.com,28-01-08
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Concessional electricity rates for mandals
By rajesh, Section Pune Tourism
Posted on Mon Sep 24, 2007 at 08:58:06 PM EST
MAHARASHTRA State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) chief engineer Rameshsinh Gautam on Tuesday said Ganesh mandals in the city will be supplied electricity at a concessional rate of Rs 2 per unit and a fixed charge of Rs 200 per connection during the forthcoming festive season. Otherwise the mandals will have to pay a security deposit and will be charged for electricity consumed as per the set norms.
Gautam was speaking at a meeting of representatives of the mandals who were told that they should ensure legal connections and help MSEDCL ensure trouble-free and uninterrupted supply of electricity during the Ganeshotsav. "A special one-window system had been introduced at all the divisions in the city to sanction connections to mandals," he added.
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Rajgad To Be Made Tourist Attraction
By pune city, Section Pune Tourism
Posted on Sat Jun 16, 2007 at 05:45:59 AM EST
In a bid to promote Rajgad as a major tourist attraction in Maharashtra, the district collectorate has lined up renovation plans.
One of the most important forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj located around 40 kilometres south-west of Pune, Rajgad has received Rs 10 crore for beautification. The renovation plan will see approach roads, gardens in the premises and structures in the fort being done up.
District collector Prabhakar Deshmukh is all set to initiate a major tree plantation drive in the area on Sunday as part of this drive.
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Reservations for Summer Specials from March 29
By pune city, Section Pune Tourism
Posted on Thu Mar 29, 2007 at 02:27:33 AM EST
The ministry of railways has decided to run summer special trains to cope with the expected increase in passenger rush in the coming months. The reservation of seats and berths for the trains will begin on March 29.
The 153 Pune-Gorakhpur via Varanasi summer special will depart from Pune every Thursday at 3.30 pm from April 5 to June 28. The 154 Gorakhpur-Pune will start from Gorakhpur every Saturday at 3.35 pm from April 7 to June 30.
The 0988 Jaipur-Pune will depart from Jaipur every Sunday at 9 am from April 8 to June 24. The 0987 Pune-Jaipur will leave Pune every Monday at 3.20 pm from April 9 to June 25.
The 992 Pune-Indore via Kalyan will depart from Pune every Monday from April 16 to June 18 and the 991 Indore-Pune via Kalyan will depart from Indore every Sunday from April 15 to June 17.
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