Udaipur, October 31: Yesterday, October 30, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria laid the foundation for Ratnagiri Hill development project worth Rs 2.5 crore in Bhuwana, Udaipur. The plan is to transform the area into a tourist destination in several phases. It is an Udaipur Development Authority (UDA) undertaking. 

Speaking on the occasion, the Punjab Governor said that this location is to be developed as a confluence of tourism, health and spirituality. He emphasised on the importance of preserving Nature and added that various areas in the city are being developed to offer tourists an experience of Udaipur’s beautiful landscape.

Also present at the foundation stone plaque unveiling ceremony were City MLA Tarachand Jain and Rural MLA Phool Singh Meena apart from other dignitaries. 

MLA Jain said the continued development of such areas in Udaipur was the result of everyone’s efforts which had put the city on the global map of tourism.

MLA Meena expressed gratitude to Kataria for his commitment to the city's holistic development. He added that the hard work and dedication of local representatives and officials have led to various innovations resulting in continuous advancement of tourism.

The ceremony was also attended by social worker Ravindra Shrimali, Divisional Commissioner Pragya Kevlramani, UDA Commissioner Rahul Jain, Badgaon Pradhan Pratibha Nagda, Deputy Pradhan Pratap Singh Rathore, Zila Parishad member Pinky Mandawat, Sarpanch Mohanlal among others.

Development Plan

The plan is to develop Ratnagiri Hill as a tourist destination and this will include enhancement, conservation and afforestation of the hill. The hill, covering an area of 20 hectares, is recorded as "charanot" in revenue records and is strategically located near UDA’s planning areas of Chitrakoot Nagar, Meera Nagar and Shyam Nagar. Earlier, UDA had carried out construction of boundary walls, parking spaces, access routes and plantation work in the area.

The development will take place in different phases. In the first phase, the highest point of the hill will be developed as a Viewpoint. Paths leading to this point will include a 1,425 meters-long stone-pitched pathway from the main route and via the Mataji Temple. There will two other routes -  a 480-meter path from Bhuwana village and a 520-meter path from the ashram. 

Parking area will be developed, pipelines will be laid, two 50,000-litre water tanks for plant irrigation will be set up alongwith the construction of public facilities.

The estimated expenditure for the first phase is approximately Rs 98.51 lakh.

The second phase is estimated to have an expenditure of Rs 96 lakh and will involve plantation work. This will include planting various types of flowering plants (17,100), fruit trees (1,000) and large shade trees (2,500).

In the third phase, an adventure zone and play zone will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 52 lakh.