Nashik : District Planning Committee has granted administrative approval of Rs 57.5 lakh for appointing an expert consultant to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Ananta-Nashik Cultural & Spiritual Heritage Destination project, which will be executed by the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC).
The project seeks to position Nashik as an international tourism destination under the Union Ministry of Tourism’s National Mission for Developing 50 Globally Competitive Tourism Destinations and the One State, One Global Destination initiative. Estimated to cost Rs 500 crore, the project aims to blend Nashik’s rich religious, spiritual, cultural and historical heritage with sustainable tourism infrastructure. The initiative assumes special significance ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2026-27. In order to facilitate the project without land acquisition delays, a contiguous land parcel of around 16 hectares has been identified in Pimpalgaon Bahula shivar. This includes 12.9 hectares owned by the NMC alongside an adjacent govt land parcel of 3.1 hectares to be transferred soon. “The project is structured to receive 100% funding from central govt upon final approval from the ministry of tourism.
“District collector Ayush Prasad, member DPC empowered to grant sanctions, has taken this step to expedite construction of the tourism destination programme,” a senior district administration official said. Following clearances, the area will be notified as a designated Tourism Destination managed by a Special Purpose Vehicle,” the official said. Panchavati, the Godavari riverfront, the Ramayana circuit and connectivity to the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga are among the key focus areas. The project was discussed by NMC and district guardian minister Girish Mahajan in June.