Pune: An amusement park underway near Khadakwasla dam

Pune: According to reports, Maharashtra state Water Resources Department (WRD) has come up with a plan to use 28acres of its unused land, situated near Khadakwasla dam, to build an amusement park. The park is expected to have adventure activities like water sports, miniature park, planetarium, multipurpose pavilion, a village theme, cafeteria and a resort.

On Saturday, the Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil paid a surprised visit at the Khadakwasla Dam and inspected the premises. Additionally, senior officials have also been visiting the dam area in the last month frequently and conducting surveys of the premises.

The Water Resources Department has admitted and claimed that the work will commence from next week onwards. Additionally, the Irrigation Department has also sought proposals from interested organizations, to use the land and developed it as a tourism destination, on Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. 

As per the plan, the basic idea of the proposal is the beautification of Khadakwasla dam, and the development of the unused excess land in the vicinity for tourism and gaining the scenery view.

Accordingly, for the last one and a half year,  NCP Khadakwasla Assembly constituency rural president Trimbakh Anna Mokashi, and Zilla Parishad member Anita Ingle, have been following up the work,  under the guidance of Member ofParliament Supriya Sule and Minister Jayant Patil. 

Their pursuit has been successful and this magnificent tourist centre is standing on 28 acres.

According to the proposed layout, the amusement park may include micro-parks, museums, gift shops, planetariums, banquets, resorts and restaurants, multi-purpose halls etc. 

The tourist centre is expected to benefit the surrounding villages, as well as all the tourists coming to Pune while adding to the revenue of Maharashtra and local villagers. 

In an attempt to move things forward, the Water resource Minister also held a meeting with the officials last week including Chief Engineer Rajendra Mohite, Superintendent Engineer Sanjeev Chopde and Executive Engineer Vijay Patil who visited and inspected the site.

The tourist centre is expected to be set up beside the dam wall and on both sides of the river bed. When contacted regarding the plans,  Rajendra Mohite, Chief Engineer, Irrigation Department said to Sakal Times, "Yes, it has been approved and work will begin soon."