Relax Coastal Regulation Zone rules, Maharashtra tells Centre

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has demanded the Centre relaxes the costal regulatory rules for state's 720- kilometer long coastline.

State tourism minister Chhagan Bhujbal demanded the union government makes immediate relaxation on the lines of Kerala and Goa. This is vital for the development of the coastline and exploit its full potential, Bhujbal said at the annual conference of all tourism ministers in New Delhi.

The CRZ rules are hindering the state's plans to develop coastline on the line of Dubai and Mauritius. "There is only so much we can do to develop this coastline since it is adjoining the hills," said Bhujbal at the conference.