Opening of Gorewada Indian Safari project delayed by nine months
   Date :10-Jun-2020

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 Indian Safari project worth Rs 452 crore at Gorewada zoo awaiting inauguration. (Pic by Anil Futane)
 
 
By Ramesh Marulkar ;
 
Unlikely to be inaugurated in next 4 months
 
 
THE Indian Safari project worth Rs 452 crore at Gorewada zoo of international standard is still awaiting inauguration for the last nine months due to various adverse circumstances. It was first decided to inaugurate the project at the hands of former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who considered it to be his dream project, in September 2019 but the programme was postponed due to announcement of Assembly elections. Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to open it with common remote at the time of Mahametro function but he cancelled the tour as Model Code of Conduct was imposed. When the ruling dispensation in Maharashtra changed after the elections, officers of Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM), which is implementing Gorewada zoo scheme, decided to inaugurate the Safari on March 21 to mark the World Forestry Day.
 

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However, this time it was forced to postpone the inauguration due to outbreak of coronavirus pandemic. Since then, the project is waiting for inauguration. Now, there are bleak chances of the Safari opening due to coronavirus imposed lockdown, curbs on jungle safaris, and forthcoming monsoon season. In all likelihood, the officials will have to find a date only in October. Reliable sources said, they would take a decision in this regard only after considering the prevailing situation in respect of COVID-19. Maharashtra is among the worst-hit States of the pandemic with cases spiking daily. Meanwhile, the FDCM has completed 90 per cent work of Indian Safari project.
 
A visit to the project on Tuesday revealed that works like main gate, plaza, safari routes in 200 hectares, chainlink fencing, ticketing/souvenir shop, canteen, administrative building, safari pick-up and drop point, motorised gate, security post, pond with pumping arrangement, trenches, tunnel on the internal road, structures for sitting visitors, night shelters for animals for feeding, treatment etc has been completed. The work of compound wall on Nagpur-Kalmeshwar Road was already completed.
 
Now, this wall and fencing around will provide security to wild animals. When contacted, Nandkishor Kale, Divisional Manager, FDCM, Gorewada, said, FDCM has spent Rs 40 crore so far on these works. “Remaining 10% finishing works, including walking trails, can be done in 2 weeks prior to inauguration. Later, works of African Safari, bird park, zoo and Night Safari will be taken up,” he added.