The tourism ministry has approved a Rs 50 crore plan for comprehensive tourism development in Maharashtra with special focus on security of the state’s 720-km-long beaches.

The package includes features such as a floating jetty at Elephanta, a fort circuit plan linking all the forts for tourism, public amenities at major tourist spots — Raigad Fort, Buddhist caves and the Ashtavinayak temples.

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has also decided to prepare a master-plan for tourism in each district of the state. A proposal in this regard will be prepared by the collector with the cooperation of MTDC, tourism officials said. In the first phase, Rs5 lakh will be given for each district. Accordingly, Rs2 crore has been approved for this scheme. Special permission has been accorded to MTDC to erect indicators and guideline boards near all the main roads at tourist locations. For this Rs five crore have been approved for MTDC, officials said.

State tourism minister Chhagan Bhujbal said that the administrative approval of Rs 50 crore had been given on the occasion of the tourism year. The allocation of funds will be done through the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.

Speaking on the fort circuit plan, he said that there were around 350 small and big forts in the state. A study will be commissioned and a series of four forts will be shortlisted for the project.

The Lonar Lake will be taken up for conservation. The popular Ashtavinayak series of temples will also be upgraded, with public amenities; facilities, such as a floating jetty, will be developed at Elephanta, and conservation of the various Buddhist caves will be undertaken as well.

Given the security scenario, it is important to upgrade security measures in place for the tourists who frequent the 720km coastline of the state.