mid-day editorial: Ensure the new seaside project is smooth-sailing

There's a spot of good news for tourists planning to travel along the coastline of Maharashtra. The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) is planning to rent out aeroboat services along some of the most-frequented coastal areas in the state, according to a report in this paper. MMB has plans to develop water sports, such as parasailing, along these areas. The main aim, said an official, was to promote alternative modes of water transport along the Maharashtra coastline. The project seems ambitious, with the company that gets selected for the project getting a licence to conduct water sports for five years. There is also talk of a world-class cruise terminal and locations being considered for the project include Juhu beach and a number of other waterfronts.

While the plans are still at the deliberation stage, it is imperative that we do this right, if it has to take-off at all. Tourism means having a good infrastructure at the ground level. In this case, it begins with cleaner beaches. Also, restrooms - that great bugbear for tourists - are another important factor. Good, clean toilets must be made available near these proposed sites. We see tourists looking in vain for accessible restrooms when they visit city's landmarks.

There is also the question of quality and safety. We need top quality facilities at all of these waterfronts. We often see that such well-meaning projects reach the take-off stage, but their basic infrastructure is either lacking in quality or absent altogether. If the maritime project is to take-off, a long-distance approach needs to be taken from the beginning and the bar must be set high when it comes to efficiency and a good experience for tourists.

After all, tourism is an avenue where you have the opportunity to showcase your city to the world. Let us make that image a great one.