MTDC’s adventure sports institute in limbo

Nagpur, Nov 30

With a view to promote adventure sports in the region and to attract tourists, the state government has established Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation’s (MTDC) one adventure sports centre at Ramtek along Khindsi river but unfortunately for the last five years it has not been utilized for its original purpose.

The MTDC has handed over the building of centre to a private contractor for lodging purpose. It can be mentioned here that the main objective behind this centre was to provide short training courses for adventure sports in air, water and mountains for both tourists and instructors.

The said Rs 7 crore project was sanctioned in 2010-11 but it didn’t take off due to insufficient funds. The then government had asked the PWD and even the irrigation department to give shape to the proposal. Finally MTDC funded the project and the building that has the facility for a training centre for tourists and instructors was constructed. Sports equipment worth Rs 3 crore was also purchased but for the last three years MTDC has handed over the institute to a private contractor who has been utilizing it for lodging purpose.

MLA Ashish Jaiswal who had initiated this project said this institute would have changed the complexion of the region as it is one of its kind institute that would have attracted students as well as tourists to this region. It would have also helped to create capacity and manpower for the adventure tourism sector .

Jaiswal said, “When MTDC handed over the facility to a private contractor he took objection but nothing happened as I was not MLA at that time. I have nothing against private contractor. He has already given an undertaking to run the institute and also invested crores of rupees but unfortunately the main objective behind this institution is not fulfilled”, he said.

Jaiswal also said in this regard he made a lot of correspondence to the government but nothing has happened as MTDC has given this project to a contractor on a lease for ten years. When asked future course of action, Jaiswal said he will meet current tourism minister Aditya Thackeray to apprise him about the project.

One of the adventure instructors said the centre would have provided the local youths an opportunity to become trained instructors but unfortunately the basic purpose is not solved.

In this regard when contacted deputy director of MTDC Prashant Sawai he refused to make any comment and on the contrary said I am not in MTDC at present.