Pune may soon get its own Tussauds

Tourism corporation says it would be a public-private partnership venture

PUNE: It’s going to be in the same mould as Madame Tussauds. But you won’t have to shell out big bucks to see the high and mighty immortalised in wax because a desi version of the hugely popular tourist attraction is all set to come up in the state.

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is keen to develop a museum on the lines of the UK one to tap its tourist potential. “Madame Tussauds attracts a large number of tourists to London. We want to do the same in Maharashtra too,” he said.
 
MTDC’s senior manager (development) DB Jadhav told DNA that an international tender for expression of interest (EoI) has been called to set up the wax museum.

He said the desi Madame Tussauds would be a public-private partnership venture. “Consultancy firm Crisil was asked to conduct a study and they have suggested several measures including setting up a wax museum,” Jadhav said, adding the project report has been approved by the state government, following which it was submitted to the union tourism ministry.

MTDC officials confirmed the wax museum project is part of an ambitious plan finalised by the corporation to boost the tourism industry in the state. “We also plan to start a snow park, cable car services, theme parks, maritime museum, oceanarium etc,” Jadhav said, explaining plans for a coastal golf course. “The idea is to develop the state’s 720-km coastline,” Jadhav said, “so that its tourism potential is harnessed.”

k_abhay@dnaindia.net