“The ambitious Sindhudurg tourism project has encountered a significant shift, relocating from Maharashtra to Gujarat, causing upheaval in ministerial and administrative positions. The managerial chaos involves changing ministers, shifting secretaries, and altering tourism department leadership, contributing to a setback for the Sindhudurg underwater tourism initiative.
Sindhudurg, renowned for its tourism potential, has witnessed various tourism projects over the past fifteen years, including the impressive Sea World, House Boat, and the monumental Virat Yudhankar for tourism. However, none of these new initiatives materialized or created novel tourist attractions. Despite changes in governance, the district lacked leadership in crucial and ambitious tourism projects essential for fostering growth.
The flagship Sindhudurg project, conceptualized to offer a unique experience of underwater exploration near Nivati Rocks in the Arabian Sea, was initially proposed in 2018. With an approved budget of 56 crores, the project aimed to distribute some funds for development. Unfortunately, ongoing administrative changes, including altered ministers, secretaries, and tourism department executives, have disrupted the progress of the Sindhudurg underwater tourism project. Gujarat has assumed control of the project, marking the departure of Maharashtra’s initiative and leaving the imprint of Sindhudurg’s underwater ambitions on the shores of Gujarat.
In Sindhudurg, the last ten to fifteen years saw sporadic attempts to boost tourism, yet no substantial new tourist attractions were constructed. The frequent changes in government, coupled with a lack of strategic leadership at the district level, have hindered the realization of crucial and ambitious tourism projects. Amid these challenges, the Sindhudurg project, with its proposals, plans, and funding, must now contend with the intricate web of bureaucratic shifts and state-level decision-making, casting a shadow on its future progress.
Notably, the Sindhudurg project aimed to generate employment opportunities, promising 5,000 direct and indirect jobs in the first year and an investment ranging between 100 to 150 crores. Dr. Sarang Kulkarni, the project’s proponent, expressed his concerns about the bureaucratic turbulence and its potential impact on the ambitious venture. As Gujarat and the Majgaon Docks plan to unfold the Sindhudurg project in the waters of Dwaraka, an official announcement is anticipated during the January Vibrant Gujarat Summit. The project envisions an underwater exploration experience, allowing tourists to witness the remnants of the ancient city of Dwaraka, submerged 300 feet beneath the sea. Despite these challenges, the dream of making Sindhudurg a prominent destination in India’s tourism sector persists, awaiting resolution of bureaucratic intricacies and renewed state-level commitment.”