In a bid to boost the Covid-hit tourism industry, the Maharashtra cabinet has approved the proposal and concept of caravans and caravan parks in the state.
The state government is planning to promote “caravan tourism†at beaches, forts, mountain ranges, hill stations, forests and heritage sites.
Under the policy, recreational vehicles, camper vans or motor homes will be allowed at places where permanent construction is prohibited or where hotels and resorts are scarce. The Caravan has to be registered with Commissioner of Transport and will have to take neccessary permission from local authorities.
Caravan parks at such places will be created with facilities such as water, road and power connections, tourist facility centre and a park among others. The park will come up on at least 2.5 acres of land with a maximum of 20 parking bays, an official said.
Under the policy, the government will allow private players to set up the caravan park on private or government land in buffer zones such as forest, foot of the fort, hill station and dams. Caravan parks can be set up in the vicinity of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) accommodation or on their open land as well as at agri-tourism centres.