The Maharashtra state government has approved the inclusion of 294 more villages in the new Mahabaleshwar Giristhan project, located adjacent to the Koyna backwaters, near the world-famous hill station Mahabaleshwar in Satara district.
With this approval, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will act as the special planning authority for 529 villages across Mahabaleshwar, Patan, Satara, and Jawali talukas.
These 294 villages are located near the previously notified areas of 235 villages already included in the Mahabaleshwar Giristhan project. The total area of these 294 villages is 94,404 hectares (944 sq. km), while the total area of the earlier 235 villages was 1,15,300 hectares.
With this new proposal, MSRDC will now be the planning authority for 2,09,700 hectares (2,097 sq. km) covering 529 villages in Satara district. The work of preparing the development plan for this area will begin soon.
Jawali: 49 villages
Patan: 193 villages
Satara: 52 villages
Mahabaleshwar: 294 villages
The draft development plan for building this hill station over an area of 1,153 sq. km in 235 villages of Satara district was already released by MSRDC for public suggestions and objections. The public hearing has been completed, and the plan will be finalised soon.
The proposed plan includes the development of key infrastructure such as ropeways, Ghatmatha railway, cycle tracks, funicular railways, and a tourist paradise. Additionally, tourism and natural resource development centers are part of the proposal. Through these initiatives, the government aims to boost tourism in the region.
