Route to revival

A modern tourist circuit linking five important cities in Saurashtra is intended to pack in the tourists

For a region brimming over with sites intended to pack in visitors by the horde, Saurashtra has never been too tourism savvy. Now, with a cache of funds flowing in from the Centre, the state Tourism Department is set to connect and upgrade five important destinations in the region. Somnath, Dwarka, Junagadh, Sasan Gir and Porbandar will be bound in a modern tourist circuit, with easy accessibility, new facilities and modern infrastructure conforming to international standards, to lure in domestic and foreign tourists.

Of the Rs 3.29 crore central government grant to the state Tourism Department, a part has already been allocated and distributed among district officials. While Rs 54.57 lakh has been allotted to Junagadh, Rs 37.80 lakh to Gir National Park and Sanctuary, Rs 48.59 lakh to Somnath, Rs 54.34 lakh for Porbandar and Rs 48.59 lakh for Dwarka, besides Rs 86.67 lakh for developing roads and other facilities on the routes joining the five destinations. These connecting roads will have proper signages and a Tourist Recreation Centre TRC at each entry point, which will provide information about the city, places to stay and pointers on hiring a taxi or accessing a guide.

Dwarka, which gets over 30 lakh tourists every year, mainly pilgrims, will see a major cleanliness drive and infrastructure development in terms of roads, toilets, signages, gardens and recreational facilities. 8220;Not that Dwarka doesn8217;t have roads, but what we require is world-class infrastructure so foreign tourists find the place comfortable,8221; says P.D. Vaghela, managing director, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited.

So certain roads will be selected for quicker access to tourist spots. 8220;We will have an alternative route to temple Kunti Ghat, will develop footpaths and put up signs in English, Gujarati and Hindi to assist tourists locate specific areas in the city and move around without a guide,8221; adds Vaghela.

Similarly, at Somnath, funds will be used to construct approach roads and a parking complex. The city, known for its ancient temple, a museum, smaller temples and a lovely beach, is very congested, and efforts will be made to address this problem. An approach road to connect Triveni Ghat, Sanskrit University and temples, and a shopping complex to address the daily requirements of locals and tourists are other attractions in the offing. The Tourism Department has also installed a light and sound system to lure tourists.

Sasan Gir, which attracts tourists for its Gir National Park, home to the Asiatic lion and housing other wild animals like panther, hyena, potted deer and antelope, is another place that needs attention to complete the tourist circuit. So the Tourism Department, in sync with the local administration, is busy acquiring land and making provisions for land-use permission so that facilities for tourists, including TRCs, can be developed.

In Junagadh, famous for its historical monuments, including fort walls, the Buddhist cave, rock edicts of Ashoka, and the Girnar hill famous for its Mahashivratri festival, the department is launching a renovation drive. The Rs 17 crore plan include funds collected from various sources besides the central government grant.

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8220;All major historical structures in Junagadh can be approached by road, so our priority is to renovate them as well as the historical monuments. We are also reviving unused water bodies and making them more attractive,8221; says Vaghela.