Continuous failures to create the required tourism infrastructure despite a sharp rise in tourist visiting Gujarat over the last few years, the state government is considering a new policy. This entails setting up special tourism development authorities to cope with the problem.

"While the proposal is being finalized, these authorities or zones will be on the lines of special investment regions (SIRs) or urban development authorities," a senior official said. The official said, "Preliminary discussions have been held.

Spots like Somnath and Dwarka, which attract the largest number of tourists, remain dirty. Tourists return disillusioned because of the lack of basic infrastructure, including clean toilets, drinking water and reasonable hotels.

The notified tourism authority will have the right to regulate the creation of infrastructure on public-private partnership model. Local elected bodies will have no right over the notified area."

The official added, "The authorities will be required to prepare a basic plan for infrastructure, including coming up with tourism-centric town planning schemes, allowing permissions to hotels and resorts conducive to the area.

Each authority will be ruled by a class one chief executive officer and chaired by the district collector. It will have the right to land acquisition for tourism development in the same way as the urban development authority does for regulated urbanization."

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