It's Expressway to thematic happiness. Vroom...

To get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Mumbaikars find solace at spots away from the city that offer a rejuvenating experience. Now, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) intends to add to this by setting up a theme park along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway for which, they have invited bids as well.

“In the tender documents, we have mentioned some of the themes that could be incorporated in the park. They are Bollywood, Indian culture, sport and environment among others,” said Subhash Nage, MSRDC chief engineer. The bidders will have to submit a proposal along with a theme and the entire set up plan on a design, finance, build, operate and transfer basis.

This park is proposed to be set up across 80 acres of land at Savroli, which is around 35km from Panvel, off Khalapur on the expressway.

Last year, the transport body had floated an Expression of Interest inviting consultants to come up with interesting themes. For this, nine private players had submitted their ideas.

The proposals with bids should be submitted by the end of April and if all goes as per schedule, then ground work is likely to commence by October. The completion of the project is scheduled between 2014 and 2015.

The plots adjoining the expressway already boast of fuel pumps, food courts, parking facilities, villas, residential complexes, educational institutions and a cricket stadium. Due to the high accident rate along this road, the setting up of an air ambulance service and trauma care centre are in the pipeline too.

Back in 2008, a consultant had submitted its plan for commercial development of land along the expressway. The suggestions included a business management park, hospital, residential townships, warehouses, clinics, malls, an agriculture research centre, resorts, IT SEZ, gaming zones, camping sites and a theme park. A total of 23 places were identified for these, including nine locations at Savroli. The other eight areas are Sanjgaon, Sarsan, Thanenave, Kurwande, Dongargaon, Kusgaon, Urse and Parandwadi.

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