Newly Inaugurated Sindhudurg Airport To Give A Major Lift To Tourism In Konkan
Konkan region’s long-pending demand for an airport is finally fulfilled. Sindhudurg's Chipi airport is now operational. The airport is Maharashtra's 14th aerodrome and will shorten the travel time from Mumbai to Sindhudurg to just 50 minutes. Sindhudurg district is the southern part of the Konkan region and is known for its pristine beaches, picturesque ghats, and majestic forts. Every year, tourists from across the country flock to the area to witness its impeccable charm. With the newly-inaugurated Sindhudurg airport, the tourist footfall is expected to double.
From mountains to beaches, the Sindhudurg district’s unique landscape has been the tourism hotspot for years. Konkan not only entices young trekkers and campers but is also preferred by elders and devotees. The festive season is one such time when Konkan is flooded with devotees. The place is home to numerous holy shrines and ancient temples. The area also holds a rich heritage of flora and fauna and offers various photographic sites.
Despite being a ‘heaven on earth’, Konkan never got the kind of tourism boom it deserved. The region had to suffer due to its peculiar positioning and poor connectivity. However, with the new all-weather airport, the district has become more accessible and the tourism sector is bound to prosper in near future.
Located along the Konkan coast between Malvan and Vengurla, the airport is close to all the major tourist destinations. The popular Sindhudurg fort (fort in the sea), is barely 20 kilometers away from the airport and Tarkarli - a famous site for diving - is also nearby. The airport also serves as an option for those planning to visit North Goa.
Recently, various proposals for building new hotels and resorts also got approval from the authorities. Indian Hotels Company, which runs the Taj Group of Hotels, has also announced a lavish hotel in Shiroda. The luxurious property is going to be 50 kilometers from the Chipi airport.
A surge in the number of restaurants and eateries in the area is also expected. Konkan Delicacy is known for its toothsome coastal cuisines and indigenous dishes.
With more holiday properties, submarine tourism, and the new beach shack policy, Sindhudurg is going to witness unusual visitor footfall. The new airport is particularly special to Mumbaikars as it has made their preferred weekend getaway destination even more accessible. Commercial flights from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Chipi airport have already begun and additional connectivity with other cities like Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, and Hyderabad is also underway.
The Chipi airport in Konkan has given an impetus to connectivity and tourism. It’s also going to help the artisans and craftsmen in getting the recognition that they deserve. They will get a better chance of reaching out to a larger crowd and diversify their local economies. The airport has opened meaningful avenues of growth for locals and the state.
