Aurangabad mega tourist circuit has got Rs 23.40 crore from Union Tourism Ministry of the Rs 54 crore proposed by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) nearly two years ago. 

While the Solapur mega tourist circuit, for which a proposal of more than Rs 40 crore was sent by the MTDC, the Union home ministry has sanctioned only Rs 4 crore. 

Aurangabad, the tourism capital of Maharashtra, is also the educational, industrial and medical hub of the Marathwada region. Taking into consideration the significance of the historical city, the MTDC sent a proposal to the Union tourism ministry for the Aurangabad mega tourist circuit under the mega tourist circuit development 

The Ministry of Tourism (MOT), in March 2012 identified 53 mega destinations/circuits across the country for development, including Maharashtra and Goa, in consultation with the state governments and Union territories. Of the 53 identified projects, 35 were sanctioned at the time. 

For each identified mega destination and circuit, the ministry's contribution as central financial assistance has been capped at Rs 25 crore and Rs 50 crore respectively under the 'Product/Infrastructure Development for Destinations and Circuits' scheme. Based on this, the MTDC had sent a proposal of Rs 54 crore for the development of the Aurangabad mega tourist circuit. 

Confirming the development, MTDC managing director Jagdish Patil said, "The ministry has granted us approval of Rs 23.40 crore. We have our plans and estimations ready and will soon execute them after receiving the budget. With the approved amount, we will go ahead with the phase-I of the project and the remaining amount is expected by the end of this fiscal." 

The MTDC head office, Mumbai, received the orders dated March 31 from the Union ministry of tourism, on Wednesday. 

(You need to login first to read complete news).
New User? Register for FREE!
» Back to Travel News