The Hindu Business Line : Head for the hills

The fortuitous proximity of the Sahyadri hills makes week-end escapades from Pune’s blistering summer a mere two-hour drive away. Traditionally, hill stations like Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala, Khandala and Matheran – all established by the British – are the destinations of choice to beat the April heat.

For the hordes of vacationers who, at the height of the holiday season must almost jostle for elbow space at these limited options, the fact that another hill station is under development cannot but be good news.

Located at a distance of 65-odd kilometres from Pune, the new destination, christened Lavasa, is nestled in the Mose valley that circumvents the 20-km long Warasgaon lake. The project is being developed by a consortium in which the real estate arm of Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) holds the majority stake of 65 per cent and the Thapar Group holds 15 per cent.

The remaining shareholders in what is pegged at involving investments of Rs 30,000 crore by 2020 are Venkateshwara Hatcheries (12.5 per cent), Vithal Maniyar (5 per cent) and City Corporations Ltd (2.5 per cent).

Self-contained

Spread over 25,000 acres, half of which will be covered by an extensive master plan prepared by the US-based design consultant HOK, the upcoming hill station conforms to the buzz word of the times – ‘self-contained’.

Here one can learn, earn or just relax all in harmony with nature as the plan envisions a vibrant, green environment on which over 70 per cent of the available land will be kept open. Nearly five lakh saplings of ecologically critical flora have already been planted.

The entire township has been planned such that it will be based around three town centres.

In the first phase of construction, expected to be completed by the middle of next year, Dasve, the first of the town centres, also planned as the education and research nucleus is currently under development.

The choice of housing ranges from a lake-side apartment to villas in Goan-Mediterranean design. The price tag is Rs 14 lakh for a studio dwelling to Rs 1.5 crore for a villa.

Global tie-ups

The complex also includes a modern convention and event centre, country club, day school, hospital, hotels, resorts and spas. On the hospitality front, Lavasa has collaborated with Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Novotel and Grand Mercure (part of the Accor Group) and ITC Fortune Hotels. It has also tied up with Symbiosis to develop an educational campus, and the UK-based IB school, Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) for setting up a hospitality learning centre. Apollo Hospitals has signed an agreement to develop a world-class health and wellness centre.

The new hill station will be open to all those looking for a break from the hum drum of urban living and as per estimates will draw over a million travellers every year.

The resulting development of the infrastructure in the region and the employment opportunities it will generate for the local populace seems to have all the makings of a win-win situation.

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