Water cabinet cruises in pristine Narmada backwaters

Indore: Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s cabinet cruised through the gentle Narmada backwaters near the Indira Sagar dam at Hanuwantia in Khandwa district on Tuesday in what could be touted as the first water cabinet meet in the country.
Nearly a dozen ministers and other employees were on board, scribbling key decisions while enjoying whiff of cool breeze.In the picturesque backdrop of water spread across a mind-boggling 950 square kilometres and dotted with more than 92 islands, Chouhan only spoke about tourism and not Maihar elections.
Ministers also relished the green expanse set in rural ambience coupled with 10 luxury cottages that showcase Madhya Pradesh government’s ambitious tourism spot, 150 km away from divisional headquarters, Indore.
Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "Tourism has immense potential in Madhya Pradesh. The state has numerous tourism spots near water bodies. We aim to develop these spots and Hanuwantia is one such place. We decided to hold meeting in Hanuwantia to visit spots and nearby islands to see hidden potential. We have decided to hold tourism cabinet with departments to give a fillip to tourism.”
As tourists, a fleet of ministers along with their families had hopped onto a bus that travelled from Indore to Hanuwantia village, passing through spectacular Omkareshwar-Khandwa valleys before reaching the destination. Then, led by Chouhan, they boarded the cruise while babus were ‘armed’ with files.
As the cruise entered deep waters of the dam built on Narmada river, divers on motor boats secured the cruise while family members savoured hospitality in the cottages. Few kilometres on, the cruise took a halt for more than half-an-hour, as the meeting gathered steam. Later, CM along with ministers took a motor boat ride to a nearby island, which state government aims to promote as a tourist destination.
Chouhan and ministers, including Surendra Patwa, Narottam Mishra, Gopal Bhargava, Paras Jain, Rajendra Shukla, Maya Singh, Bhupendra Singh and Sartaj Singh had reached the meeting venue on a bus. Many were surprised to see former tourism minister Vijay Shah and his wife reaching the spot on a motor boat. Clad in black suit with a hat, Shah traversed nearly 40 km from his assembly constituency Harsud.
Stepping out of the boat, he said, “It is amazing to ride on a motor boat from my constituency. It is the first tourism spot developed in Khandwa district, which will provide luxurious stay to sightseers. I took the waterway to check feasibility of tourism in Harsud that is well connected with Hanuwantia.”
Though all ministers were expected to attend the exotic cabinet meeting, a dozen made it to the cruise. Among those on board was also octogenarian PWD minister Sartaj Singh. “The meeting decided on tourism policy of the state and the ways to uplift tourism. It was an amazing ride.”
Incidentally, a developed Hanuwantia will witness 10-day water sports festival from February 12 during which a host of sports events would be held on different islands in the water catchment area.