The Maharashtra government has asked officials to accelerate work on the water tourism project at the Gosikhurd dam in Bhandara district, with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directing authorities to complete Phase I at the earliest and move swiftly on planning the next phase.
The directive came during a review meeting chaired by Shinde at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai, where senior bureaucrats and local representatives assessed the current status of the project and discussed pending works.
According to officials present at the meeting, the focus remains on finishing core infrastructure under Phase I, particularly the construction of a jetty that is expected to serve as a key facility for tourism activities at the reservoir. The Gosikhurd dam, one of the largest irrigation projects in eastern Maharashtra, has been identified as a potential tourism hub, with the state aiming to tap into its scenic and recreational appeal.
Shinde emphasised the need to avoid delays and asked departments involved to adhere to timelines. He also instructed the Bhandara district administration to begin groundwork for Phase II without waiting for the completion of ongoing works. The District Collector has been asked to review requirements for the next phase and submit a detailed proposal to the state government at the earliest.
Senior officials review progress, stress coordination
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the tourism, urban development and water resources departments, along with representatives of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. Officials from Bhandara, including the District Collector and engineers associated with the Gosikhurd project, joined the discussions via video conferencing.
Participants reviewed the overall progress of the tourism initiative and highlighted the need for better coordination between departments to ensure timely execution. The project is expected to include boating facilities, visitor amenities and related infrastructure aimed at attracting tourists to the region.
Metro connectivity demand for Bhandara raised
Apart from tourism, the meeting also touched upon regional connectivity issues. Local legislator Narendra Bhondekar raised the demand to extend the existing broad gauge metro service operating between Nagpur and Bhandara up to Bhandara city.
Taking note of the demand, Shinde directed officials to follow up with MahaRail and the Railway Board to examine the feasibility of the proposal. He indicated that improved connectivity could support both tourism and local economic activity in the district.
Officials said the extension of metro services, if approved, could significantly enhance access to the Gosikhurd site and surrounding areas, complementing the planned tourism development.
