COMMUNICATIONS

TRAVEL AND TOURIST FACILITIES

Mahabaleshwar, queen of the western ghats', is by far the most pleasant health resort in this State. The healthy climate, beautiful scenery, delightful walks and picturesque points at Mahabaleshwar attract an exodus of travellers and tourists from the neighbouring regions and especially from Bombay and Poona cities. Mahabaleshwar is 194 miles away from Bombay, and can be reached within ten hours by motor and railway routes.

There is a State Transport bus service from Poona to Mahabaleshwar and another one from Bombay to Mahabaleshwar. In April and May, 'luxury buses' are available for tourists from Bombay and Poona. From Wathar railway station, on the Poona— Bangalore railway line, regular buses ply to Mahabaleshwar. Timings of the buses are arranged so as to be convenient and suit-able to the tourists travelling by the railway. At Mahabaleshwar itself there is regular bus service to some of the distant points and places of interest.

As regards residential facilities, there are nearly ten scores of bungalows, private and public, and a number of Indian and Western style hotels. There are three inspection bungalows and a very spacious Holiday Camp at Mahabaleshwar.

Panchgani, 12 miles from Mahabaleshwar, is another favourite health resort and a picturesque and panoramic countryside. There is an inspection bungalow and a number of hotels, restaurants and private bungalows which can be hired in the ' season '.

The Government have established a Tourist Bureau at Mahabaleshwar to provide the tourists information regarding the places of interest, health resorts, roads, accommodation, etc. The Bureau co-ordinates the work of travel agencies, State Transport, hotel owners, house agents and holiday camps by arranging meetings, etc. It maintains tourist registers and helps the local authorities in promoting the comforts and conveniences and minimising the difficulties of the tourists.

The Tourist Bureau compiles, publishes and sells literature about this hill station.

Rest Houses.

For the convenience of government servants on tour, and other travellers there are Inspection Bungalows at Satara, Deur, Wai. Khandala, Pimpoda, Udatara, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Medha, Koregaon. Aundh. Gondavle, Mhaswad, Karad, Atit, Umbraj, Malharpeth, Patan and Mayani; Travellers bungalows at Satara and Ambenali; and a District Bungalow at Shirwal. All the bungalows except that at Shirwal. which is under control of the Collector of Satara, are under control of the Executive Engineer of Satara Division.

Persons staying at the following bungalows are required to pay the charges fixed by the controlling authorities: Satara (I.B. and T.B.), Panchgani, Aundh, Karad, Mahabaleshwar (upper and lower), and Ambenali.

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