The Union Territory tries to find place on the tourist map
Mumbai : India’s first Oceanarium will soon come up in Diu, as the Union Territory of Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli has started a number of new initiatives to create its own place on the tourist map.
“The Central government has agreed in principle to set up the project in Diu. Soon we would sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of India,” Bhupinder S Bhalla, Administrator for the Union Territories of Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, told FPJ here on Saturday.
Bhalla was in the town to create awareness about the efforts being made to transform the UT into a leading tourist destination. “Our aim is to make the UT among the most exciting and activity-filled destinations in the world,” said Bhalla.
Oceanarium is a large seawater aquarium in which marine animals are kept for study and public entertainment. Such a project could attract more serious visitors, Bhalla said. The average number of days a tourist stays across the UT is 1.7; and the administration wants to increase it to three days. “That can be achieved only if there is better infrastructure and entertainment,” he added.
Authorities expect the number of tourists who visit Diu to double after the Oceanarium starts functioning. “We have already earmarked 35 acres of land for the project. A team from the ministry of earth sciences had already visited the site for technical evaluation at the end of July,” said district collector Vinod Kavle.
Along with Diu, the groundwork has also been started to improve facilities at various places in Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli. About Rs 400-500 crore has been spent in the past two years to upgrade and build roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
Principal Correspondent
