Guardian Minister says industry, tourism, aviation and local infrastructure will be key to reversing migration and creating jobs
Sindhudurgnagari: Sindhudurg currently ranks sixth in Maharashtra in terms of per capita income, and the district administration and elected representatives are working to take it into the state’s top three, Guardian Minister Nitesh Rane said on Independence Day.
Speaking to reporters during a tea reception after the flag-hoisting ceremony, Rane said MP Narayan Rane, MLAs Deepak Kesarkar and Nilesh Rane, along with the district administration, were committed to accelerating Sindhudurg’s economic development.
“We will implement all necessary measures to increase the district’s per capita income and take Sindhudurg forward on the path of development,” Rane said.
He added that parallel efforts were underway to make Sindhudurg drug-free and malnutrition-free.
Industry and Tourism to Drive Employment
Rane said Sindhudurg had not yet achieved the desired level of industrialisation, despite its strong tourism potential.
He noted that many young people from the district continue to migrate to Goa, Mumbai and Pune in search of jobs and said the government had begun efforts to attract larger industries to Sindhudurg.
Tourism, he said, could become a major employment generator. A conference of tour and travel operators is also planned to attract more visitors to the district and support local businesses.
Boat Manufacturing Plant at Talavane
Rane cited the proposed boat manufacturing facility at Talavane in Sawantwadi taluka as an example of the type of industrial investment the district needs.
He said the facility would manufacture Water Metro boats with a capacity of 50 to 100 passengers, along with smaller vessels for passenger transport.
The government is also considering boat services connecting the coastal talukas of Malvan, Devgad and Vengurla, which Rane said could support both passenger mobility and tourism.
Local youth would be given employment opportunities and relevant training once the facility becomes operational, he added.
Rane said such projects could eventually help trigger “reverse migration” by creating jobs within Sindhudurg.
Taj Hotel Projects Expected to Boost Tourism
On tourism infrastructure, Rane said work on a proposed Taj five-star hotel at Shiroda-Velaghar was expected to begin soon.
He added that efforts were also underway to facilitate another Taj Group five-star hotel in Devgad.
Chipi–Navi Mumbai Flight Before Ganeshotsav
Rane said air connectivity between Chipi and Navi Mumbai was expected to begin before Ganeshotsav.
According to him, Fly91 and IndiGo have expressed readiness to operate on the route.
The proposed service is expected to improve access to Sindhudurg for residents, tourists and business travellers.
Industries Must Be Environment-Friendly
Rane said new industries in Sindhudurg must be environmentally sustainable.
At the same time, he criticised what he described as politically motivated opposition to some development projects, arguing that environmental concerns should be raised on clear and consistent grounds.
APMC Complex to Generate Business Activity
Rane also highlighted the upcoming Agricultural Produce Market Committee complex at Kankavli, saying it had already attracted interest from prospective shop occupants.
He said the completed complex was expected to generate new business activity and employment opportunities in the district.
The Guardian Minister said Sindhudurg’s broader development strategy would focus on a combination of industrial investment, tourism expansion, improved connectivity and local infrastructure to raise incomes and reduce outward migration.
