DeshGujarat

Gandhinagar, 18 August 2012

After successfully promoting state’s tourist destinations through initiatives such as ‘Khushboo Gujarati Ki’ ad campaign and road-shows in mega cities, Gujarat Tourism is now busy in managing a heavy tourist flow at the site of Sardar Sarovar Dam and the hill station Saputara. While about 1.41 lakh tourists have visited the Kevadia Colony in last five days to have a spectacular view of Narmada water overflowing from the dam, the tourism department’s officials have left no stone unturned to provide some basic infrastructure & amenities to the visitors. At the same time, Gujarat Tourism has also launched from today one-day tour packages for visit of Sardar Sarovar Dam & surrounding areas at an affordable cost of Rs. 850.

The tourist flow at the dam is increasing day-by-day and on the weekend, the number of visitors per day crosses the figure of 45,000. The number is expected to increase significantly this weekend thanks to weekend packages offered by the Gujarat Tourism. The package includes visit of all attractive destinations at Kevadia Colony such as the overflowing dam, ongoing construction at the dam site, newly-developed different viewpoints, the reservoir and surrounding natural sceneries, Godbole gate, Narmada Main Canal head regulator, Thulpaneswar Temple and Panchvati Garden and Garudeswar. While the viewpoints facilitate viewing of some breathtaking sceneries, some food-courts set up at the site serve some mouthwatering dishes.

The cost of the package is inclusive of bus fare for 500 km of journey, morning breakfast and lunch. The service is available on each Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the pickup point is Travel Corporation of Gujarat Ltd’s (TCGL) office situated opposite Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad. The bus will start at 6.00 am.

Even the number of car arrival per day is also as high as 7,500, but well-organized parking facilities set up at the site saves the visitors from chaos. Temporary toilets are also set up for convenience of the tourists.

Tourists have also started flocking to Saputara to enjoy the Monsoon Festival, which began from August 4. Water sports, rock climbing, exhibition gallery, jungle walk and cultural activities & dance programs held as a part of the month-long festival have turned out to be major attractions for the visitors. The heavy tourist flow is a major booster for the local economy and the hotel occupancy rate has gone upto 95% on weekends and 70% on other days.

The upcoming ‘Taranetar Fair’, which will start from September 19, 2012, is also expected to witness a heavy tourist flow. The three-day fair is considered as a convergence of divinity, youth and culture. As lakhs of people visit the fair in three days, high security arrangement is being made to avert any mishap. The specially designed 40 tents, set up by Gujarat Tourism, will enrich the experience of the visitors.