World Paragliding Competition, Hot Air Balloon Festivals, Cycling Challenges: Pune’s Tourism Future Looks Bright
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 28th April 2025: In a major push to place Pune district firmly on the global tourism map, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Pune Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar today unveiled a comprehensive Pune District Tourism Development Plan at a high-level meeting at Mantralaya in Mumbai.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister’s Secretary Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi, and senior officials from various departments.
The plan includes a series of ambitious initiatives such as organizing a world paragliding competition at Mulshi, a Grand Cycling Challenge covering all talukas, a hot air balloon festival at Baramati and Indapur, and water sports tourism facilities at the popular Pawana dam area. The project also emphasizes the conservation and promotion of historical forts, ancient temples, and scenic ghats. A range of cultural festivals featuring singing, theatre, literature, poetry, and storytelling will be organized with participation from local artists.
Adventure tourism will also get a significant boost with proposed facilities like motorboating and ziplining at key tourist locations.
Pawar stated that the goal is to dramatically increase tourist footfalls — aiming for 40 lakh visitors annually in the next three years, scaling up to one crore tourists in five years. “Currently, 79% of foreign tourists visiting Maharashtra stop at Mumbai, but only 14% explore Pune. This initiative will change that,” he said. According to Pawar, the tourism boom could increase Pune district’s GDP by ₹10,000–15,000 crore, creating around 50,000 direct jobs and five lakh indirect employment opportunities.
Highlighting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has prioritized tourism development in this year’s Union Budget, Pawar stressed that Pune must capitalize on these opportunities. A separate tourism logo and slogan will be developed for the district, alongside plans to appoint a globally recognized brand ambassador to promote Pune internationally.
Drawing inspiration from successful tourism models such as Gujarat’s Rann Utsav, Arunachal Pradesh’s Zero Festival, Rajasthan’s Jaipur Literature Festival, and Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival, the Pune District Tourism Development Plan aims to create an independent identity for the region. “We have studied other states’ models. Their success has shown how tourism boosts local economies and employment. Pune’s villages and towns will similarly benefit,” Pawar added.
The state government will ensure adequate funding for the plan’s implementation, with additional support from private institutions and tourism-related organizations, he assured.
In the same meeting, a review of the Shrikshetra Bhimashankar Development Plan and the Sinhagad Fort Comprehensive Conservation Plan was undertaken. Pawar instructed that any new development work at these heritage sites must preserve their spiritual, historical, and architectural integrity.
Additionally, Pawar directed officials to expedite the completion of the Jivaji Mahale memorial at the Pratapgad foothills. Mahale, a loyal “Mawla” of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, displayed unmatched bravery during the historic encounter with Afzal Khan.
With its ambitious initiatives, the Pune District Tourism Development Plan aims not only to increase tourist arrivals but also to build a strong economic engine for the region, positioning Pune as a top destination for cultural, adventure, and heritage tourism in India.
