Gorai Tourism Project To Start Soon, Includes Amusement And Water Park

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has restarted plans to turn Gorai, a peaceful coastal area in Mumbai, into a major tourist destination, as per a Hindustan Times (HT) report. The plan includes setting up a large amusement-cum-water park across a 100-acre plot, along with other attractions that aim to improve the visitor experience while protecting the area's natural beauty.

This project comes under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which has been the Special Planning Authority (SPA) for the Manori-Gorai-Uttan area since May 2013. The region, which includes eight villages and covers over 43 square kilometres, has already been marked as a Recreation and Tourism Development Zone.

What's Being Planned?

The centre of this new tourism project will be a theme-based amusement and water park. Around 30-40 acres of the land will be used for this park, while the rest-60-70 acres-will be reserved for eco-tourism, nature-based activities, and other visitor facilities. These will include gardens, walking paths, and community-friendly infrastructure.

To move things forward, MTDC has released two tenders. One of these is to select a consultant who will help plan and develop the park. The site is about 2.5 km from Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini and lies close to the Dariya Kinara Resort near the Gorai seashore.

Consultant's Role

The chosen consultant will create a master plan for the park. This includes studying the land, marking boundaries, understanding the natural slope and condition of the area, and making sure all plans follow environmental rules. The project will also explore public-private partnerships (PPP) and will look to attract funds from both the government and private investors.

What Will the Park Offer?

The proposed amusement park will include:

• Thrill rides and family-friendly attractions
• Water-based play areas like splash pads
• Food courts and shopping outlets
• Ample parking space for visitors

MTDC has also asked for suggestions on how to use the rest of the land in a way that keeps the area eco-friendly and supports the local economy.

Timeline And Local Concerns

If all goes well, the entire project could take about five years to complete. Gorai already has the Water Kingdom water park, but EsselWorld, which used to be a popular attraction, was shut down in May 2023 and remains closed.

However, not everyone is happy about the plan. For more than ten years, people living in the Manori-Gorai-Uttan area have raised concerns about large-scale development. Many want to keep the area's simple, village-like charm and believe tourism should be limited to what the region can handle naturally.

The government has promised to include sustainable features and ensure the development is done responsibly. More updates are expected once the consultant is appointed and planning begins.