A week after Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) decided to restart its service to major tourist spots in the state, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has undertaken a major expansion and upgradation drive to spruce up some of its well-known tourist hubs. According to a report in Times of India, among the beneficiaries of the Union government largesse of more than Rs nine 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 informed that the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has sanctioned over Rs seven crore for the overall development of tourist places around Kolhapur. Developmental work has been undertaken at Panhala Fort, Bhavani Mandap in Kolhapur besides upgradation of a historical temple at Khidrapur. All these places will have tourist guidance buildings, boards displaying history of the place and maps of the entire area, besides walkways and security walls. MTDC will also build additional toilets and sufficient benches for tourists. The upgradation work at Bhavani Mandap is in the final stage while remaining work is expected to be completed by November-end this year.

Also Rs two crore has been sanctioned for upgrading rooms and resort campus in Mahabaleshwar. Walkways will be an added attraction while the approach road to the resort will be re-laid. MTDC’s Mahabaleshwar resort registers occupancy of around 95 per cent during peak season and 55 per cent during off season.

The MTDC resort at Dajipur Sanctuary, which has a capacity of ten rooms’ and is currently not operational, will be upgraded. MTDC's Pune division has resorts and activities at Karla, Mahabaleshwar, Panhala, Koyna, Amboli and Dajipur. Of which, the one at Koyna is outsourced.