Satara, April 2026 : Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the Koyna Daulat Hill Festival is the need of the hour, as he attended the closing ceremony of the event in Satara district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Highlighting the natural beauty and rich historical heritage of Satara, Shinde said the government is committed to putting the district on the national and international tourism map. He emphasised that efforts are underway to develop Satara as a major tourism hub while creating local employment opportunities for residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the event, the Deputy CM inaugurated several key projects, including a major bridge over the Koyna River at Sangawad, Shivdaulat Stadium at Daulatnagar, a musical fountain and laser show at the Balasaheb Desai Centenary Memorial, and the Shivajirao Desai Memorial Building. A water tourism centre at Paparde was also inaugurated through a digital system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shinde said that to ease tourist pressure on Mahabaleshwar and boost regional tourism, the government is developing \u201cNew Mahabaleshwar.\u201d This initiative is expected to enhance land value for locals and significantly promote tourism. He also announced plans to organise the Koyna Backwater Festival in December-January and elevate it to international standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He noted that while large cultural festivals are often held in cities, events like the Koyna Daulat Hill Festival bring cultural experiences to remote hilly regions. The festival featured traditional performances such as bhajans, kirtans, lavani, and powada, along with food fairs and adventure activities like paragliding, seaplane rides, and scuba diving, providing a platform for artists and boosting tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Deputy CM also announced that ropeway projects have been approved in the budget for tourist destinations like Vasota Fort. Infrastructure development is being strengthened with the construction of bridges at Tapola and Apti over the Koyna River, which will connect 105 remote villages and improve connectivity between western Maharashtra and the Konkan region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shinde highlighted initiatives for farmers and youth, including cluster farming to enable small landholders to benefit from modern agricultural techniques. With bamboo now classified as grass, subsidies are being provided under MGNREGA for its cultivation, and farmers in Satara have already agreed to cultivate bamboo on around 8,000 acres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He assured that irrigation projects like Bondarwadi dam will be accelerated and that efforts will be made to attract industries to the Satara MIDC. He also reiterated the government\u2019s commitment to welfare schemes, including the \u201cLadki Bahin\u201d scheme, which he said would continue without interruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, under the Namo Shetkari Samman Yojana, farmers are receiving \u20b912,000 annually through combined central and state support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event saw the presence of several dignitaries, officials, and a large number of citizens, reflecting strong public participation in the festival.