Chikhaldara, Kashmir Of Vidarbha, Left In The Cold
Nagpur: Chikhaldara, the only hill station in Vidarbha region, fondly called 'Mini Kashmir' for its scenic beauty and pleasant climate, continues to suffer from prolonged neglect, failing to attract tourists even as thousands travel outside the state for vacations.
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Despite its lush landscapes and cool weather from October to June, Chikhaldara — located near Amravati — remains underdeveloped, unlike its counterpart Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh, which is almost equidistant from Nagpur and sees robust tourist footfalls throughout the year.
The recent terror attack in Pahalgam has once again sparked debate over developing safe and attractive tourism pockets within Maharashtra.
However, Chikhaldara, despite its natural allure, continues to lag.
According to travel trade experts, poor connectivity, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of accommodation are the main factors preventing Chikhaldara from evolving into a viable tourism hub.
Irshad Mehdi, Managing Committee Member of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), said the region lacks sufficient hotel inventory and tourist activities.
"The government had planned a skywalk, but it remains incomplete. Even if finished, it's unlikely to attract large crowds without supporting amenities. The availability of good resorts is essential. Some investments are finally coming in, but basic issues like limited food options — especially non-vegetarian — still persist," he said.
TAAI Vidarbha Chapter Honorary Secretary Raju Akolkar emphasized the importance of strong road connectivity and quality accommodation.
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"Look at Madhya Pradesh — the tourism department has developed beautiful, well-maintained resorts in Pachmarhi and Kanha. Maharashtra's MTDC has done well in Tadoba, but Chikhaldara has been ignored," Akolkar noted.
He added that consistent signage, resorts with good capacity, and well-maintained highways are necessary to encourage travel to Chikhaldara.
Officials from the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) said the responsibility for Chikhaldara's development lies with CIDCO, while MTDC manages only two resorts in the area.
"Capacity is low, but so is year-round demand. The government is trying to boost its popularity like other Central Indian destinations," an official said.
While the region sees some traction during monsoon and winter, the lack of consistent infrastructure and promotional efforts continues to hold it back from becoming a year-round destination.
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