Maharashtra government to set up infrastructural facilities in Elephanta island

The Maharashtra Government intends to lay down a road connecting Elephanta Caves to Mumbai, to develop the caves as a tourist destination. The government has prepared a plan worth Rs 144 Crore wherein the Elephanta island will be connected with Mumbai by road and several infrastructural facilities built. The island where the caves are situated lacks infrastructural facilities, thereby hampering its growth as a premier tourist spot. The tourists can make their way to the caves only by ferries and there are no proper accommodation amenities.

The state has submitted four major proposals worth Rs 275 Crore to the Centre Tourism Ministry for development of Elephanta Caves, Buddhist Theme Park in Aurangabad, historic places in Aurangabad district and Marathwada. Maharashtra has proposed to set up a 'Buddhist Theme Park' at Phardapur, in Aurangabad at a cost of Rs 25 Crore and has chalked out a blueprint for development of Old Fort, Pan Chakki, Bibi ka Maqbara in the city at a cost of Rs 50 Crore. It has also proposed to set up a tourist information centre in every district of Marathwada to promote tourism.