Maharashtra to form 'Paryatan Mitra' for safety of tourists, pilot from May 1
In a bid to enhance tourist safety and revive confidence in domestic travel, the Maharashtra Government has announced the formation of the Maharashtra Tourism Security Force (MTSF), also referred to as Tourism Mitra, under its recently unveiled Tourism Policy 2024.The initiative was formalised through a government circular dated April 17, 2025, issued by the state's Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department. The new force is envisioned as a specialised unit that will not only ensure security for tourists but also disseminate information about Maharashtra's cultural heritage and major tourist destinations.advertisementThe creation of the force is part of the state's broader tourism roadmap, which aims to attract private investment worth Rs 1 lakh crore and create an estimated 18 lakh direct and indirect jobs by capitalising on Maharashtra's natural and cultural assets.
As a pilot, the force will be deployed in Satara district during the upcoming Mahabaleshwar Mahotsav, which is scheduled from May 1 to May 4, 2025. Twenty-five trained personnel will be stationed under the supervision of the Satara District Police Superintendent, in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Security Corporation. The force will remain operational in the region from April 25 to August 31.According to the directive, vehicles and logistical support will be made available, and senior officers will be assigned to oversee operations. Funding responsibilities will be shared between the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, the Maharashtra State Security Corporation, and the Satara Police Superintendent, with the Tourism Development Corporation set to receive reimbursements for incurred expenses.advertisement"The government has decided to form Maharashtra Tourism Security Force. The decision has been taken in view of increasing opportunities in the tourism sector, diversity with regards to geography and culture in the state and to give a secured tourist experience," news agency PTI quoted Maharashtra Tourism Minister Shamburaj Desai as saying."They will also be posted for the security of the tourists. This will increase employment opportunities in the state. They will take training to give information as well as protection to the tourists," Desai added.A statewide rollout of the Maharashtra Tourism Security Force is expected soon, pending further government orders issued under the directive of the Governor.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
GCMMF launches Amul Milk in Spain
Amul milk is now available in Spain. Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation has partnered with Cooperativa Ganadera del Valle de los Pedroches. Initially, Amul milk will be sold in Madrid and Barcelona. Later, it will expand to other Spanish cities and Lisbon, Portugal. Amul plans to introduce more products in Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd ( GCMMF ), which sells dairy products , has launched Amul Milk in a statement on Wednesday, the GCMMF announced "its partnership with Cooperativa Ganadera del Valle de los Pedroches (COVAP), Spain's first-tier cooperative to launch Amul Milk in Spain and EU."Through this partnership, Amul milk will be launched initially in Madrid, Barcelona, and subsequently it will be launched in Malaga, Valencia, Alicante, Seville, Cordoba and Lisbon in the future, Amul also plans to launch milk and other products in countries like Germany, Italy, and launch event took place at the Embassy of India, Mehta, Managing Director of GCMMF, said, "This association will ensure all our Spanish consumers will be nourished and energized with the goodness of Amul Milk."When contacted, Mehta said the GCMMF will sell Amul Gold full cream milk in tetra pack with a shelf life of six months. The placement of milk has started in the year, the federation had launched fresh milk in the US recorded an 11 per cent rise in its revenue to Rs 65,911 crore during the last fiscal, mainly driven by an increase in volumes across all launch took place in the presence of Dinesh K Patnaik, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Spain, D. Fernando Heredia Noguera, Deputy Director for International Relations and Community Affairs, Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Ricardo Delgado Vizcaino, President, COVAP and senior officials of Amul and its channel partners of with its 3.6 million dairy farmers is the world's largest farmer owned dairy cooperative The Amul brand is rated as the world's strongest dairy brand and India's largest consumer products group brand with a turnover of more than USD 11 billion and handling more than 12 billion litres of milk every is also world's 8th largest milk processor (Ranking by IFCN), it operates 112 dairy plants across India with a total milk handling capacity of 42 million litres per is Spain's first-tier cooperative, founded in 1959 in Pozoblanco, over 2,000 active farmer-members, COVAP is a cornerstone of Andalusia's agri-food sector. Their dairy plant, one of Europe's most advanced, processes more than 400 million liters of milk annually. COVAP exports to over 30 countries, including the US, UK, and various Asian markets.
India Today
4 hours ago
- India Today
How Goa plans to take tourism beyond sea and sand
Tourists visiting Goa will have more destinations on their to-do list in the coastal state in the future. The state cabinet has approved tourism infrastructure projects, such as Rs 121 crore town square project in Porvorim and the development of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum at Farmagudi near Ponda in North Khaunte, minister for tourism, said the town square in Porvorim is conceptualised as a first of its kind in the country. The town square, which is inspired by international landmarks such as New York's Times Square and London's Piccadilly Circus, will be designed as a community hub, and will host local artisans and create opportunities for employment and cultural town square will have a market court, welcome court, fountain court, movie court, heritage court, an Ashoka Stambh, and a clock tower. Of the estimated Rs 120.97 crore cost, Rs 90.74 crore will come from the Union government and the rest from the state government. It is expected to be completed by March who is a three-term MLA from Porvorim, said the town square will provide new avenues for artists and cultural entrepreneurs, and offer a modern space rooted in Goan heritage. This will be a heritage-linked public space that also promotes economic growth. It will be spread across 11,000 sq metres and operate round the year. Khaunte also announced the beautification of the Porvorim Creek and development of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum at Farmagudi. This will enhance Goa's cultural tourism the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, the rural circuit from Porvorim to Harvalem will be developed. This project will enhance the creek experience, encompassing Torda Creek, Malim Jetty, Virlosa and Pomburpa Spring, extending up to Harvalem. Colva will also be redeveloped under the coastal component of the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, and will be given upgraded facilities and public said around Rs 400 crore worth of tourism projects have been sanctioned for Goa by the Union government. He said it was important that tourists explore Goa beyond its sands and sea in order to develop deeper appreciation of the state's culture, heritage and hinterlands. The department has made efforts to showcase the state's tourism beyond its beaches and develop verticals such as eco-tourism, adventure tourism and 2023, Goa had 8.1 million domestic and 453,000 foreign tourists visiting. In 2024, Goa welcomed a higher 9.94 million domestic tourists and around 468,000 international tourists. 'The state has witnessed a notable 21 per cent growth in tourism, which promises a very positive trend for tourism in Goa. While domestic tourist footfall increased by 22 per cent, foreign tourist footfall increased by 3 per cent. These statistics unmistakably indicate a robust growth in Goa's tourism sector, reaffirming its position as a most preferred tourist destination,' said the Economic Survey of Goa for department of tourism has said that tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2025 have grown by 10.5 per cent year on year as compared to the same period in 2024. The first three months of this year have seen 2.85 million visitors come to Goa, up from 2.58 million in the first quarter of to India Today Magazine
India Today
4 hours ago
- India Today
Flying cheaper than rail? How India's air travel revolution is taking off
A quiet change has taken place in an economy wherein travelling by train has for generations offered budget travellers the means to move about. Flying has become in India, at times, even cheaper than the cost of a high-end train ticket, notes a report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Real airfares have plummeted by 25 per cent between 2011 and 2023, making the skies more accessible to thousands who used to regard air travel as numbers are striking. In peak season, the fare of Third AC train travel will be about Rs 3,000-Rs 3,500 from Delhi to Mumbai. On several days, the same route is being flown by a low-cost airline selling seats at a lower price. Add in the time saved—nearly two hours in air vs over 15 hours on rail—and the math adds up. Well, air travel is no longer a high-status affair. It's about IATA report, released on June 2, says 111 flights were taken per 1,000 Indians in 2023. This represents quite a substantial increase for a nation that just a decade ago found a minority of its population taking a flight ever. Indians, in turn, are now availing international flights with much greater ease. These changes—far shorter term in their effect—do reflect a broader evolution of aviation in India, which is witnessing a democratising of the sector via lower fares, more extensive networks and governmental what does this mean beyond the passenger stats? Addressing the IATA annual general meeting in New Delhi on June 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed the Indian aviation story in a larger global framework. He said India should not be seen as just an aviation market but rather as a leader in the value chain of the sector—not only should we 'Make in India' but also 'Design in India'.advertisement Modi's message was explicit: India is not merely flying more—India wants the sky. In recent years, the government has introduced reforms to identify aviation as an engine of economic growth and global integration. Modi said Indian aviation laws were being brought at par with international best practices, with easy and a clear tax structure and compliance. He said this is a hugely attractive investment opportunity for large global aviation already contributes a huge amount to the Indian economy. As per the IATA report, the Indian aviation industry contributes $53.6 billion (1.5 per cent) to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This includes $5.6 billion in direct core aviation activities, $21 billion from supply chain and employee spending and $27.1 billion in aviation-related tourism. It also accounts for 7.7 million jobs—369,700 of them being direct aviation jobs and 5 million in tourism. It is said to be one of those few sectors in India where for every 100 direct jobs, over 600 indirect jobs are created in the also emphasised on turning India into a global centre for MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul). India is fast expediting this journey and by 2030 aiming for a $4 billion MRO hub, he added. From 96 in 2014, India today has 154 MRO facilities, thanks 100 per cent FDI under the automatic route and reforms such as reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) and rationalisation in and connectivity are equally important parts of the jigsaw. India is now the sixth largest air cargo market in the world with 3.3 million tonnes of air cargo handled in 2023. Air freight used to be an ancillary at best, but with the rise of industries such as pharma, electronics and e-commerce, it has become a central logistical engine. There are also growing international linkages with India. With 521 international outbound flights daily, the country is linked to 58 countries. India has 103 international routes and in just five years, the country has been placed 10th in the international aviation market. In 2024, 33.9 million international passengers flew out of as exciting as these advances are, the core value of aviation is much more than that. Air travel may be the only dependable link to the national economy in the far-off northeastern states or hilly regions where road and rail links are not up to the mark. Air access is vital during emergencies, disaster or in case of an urgent medical transfer. In this context, regional air links have burgeoned in the past four years, thanks to the government's UDAN scheme, with planes now flying into towns such as Darbhanga, Jharsuguda and Rupsi—previously unimaginable on the national air is aviation more than just a mode of transportation? Because it's a force multiplier, a safety net, a conduit between desire and delivery. The remarks made by Modi at the IATA event also covered India's efforts to become a hub for aircraft leasing. Referring to the recent legislation framed to provide tax incentives and legal certainty to global lessors, he remarked that these measures had turned India into a more favourable destination for leasing yet, challenges remain. In large cities, airport infrastructure is pushed to the limit, pilot shortages are around the corner, and we are asked to ignore the environmental impact of flying. But the wind is undeniably at their back. Some 10 years ago, the Indian aviation story was a tale of private sector churn and regulatory ambiguity. Today, it is a lot about opportunity, scale and is transforming into a node of value creation in the global aviation ecosystem. And so, for millions of Indians, a dream has now become a daily choice: to fly or to take the train? And more and more, the skies seem to be the ones to India Today MagazineTrending Reel
