Lavasa
Lavasa is a private, planned city being built near Pune.
A 25,000 acres (100 km2) or 8,000 acres (32 km2) project being developed by HCC, this as-yet-incomplete city has been controversial for multiple reasons including procurement of land, harm to the environment,[1] and loans acquired through political corruption.
The name Lavasa was devised by the US branding firm Landor Associates.
In late 2010 the Indian Environment and Forests ministry ordered that construction cease because the project violated environmental laws. As of late 2011, this order has been rescinded. The project’s scale may have been reduced, however, and an IPO may not occur. The head of the company building the project said in 2013 that due to the Environment and Forest Ministry the project had “lost three years.
Lavasa Hill City is free India’s first and largest hill city with a sprawling township spread across the 7 hills of the Mose valley. The area is quite close to the major cities of Pune and Mumbai and circles the Varasgaon lake. Lavasa is just about 65 Kms (an hrs drive) from Pune and abut 200 Kms ( 3.5 hrs) from Mumbai. Lavasa Hill City covers 25,000 acres with 60 Kms of lakefront. It is spread amidst 100 sq. kms., which is almost 1/4th the size of mumbai.
Hill City of Lavasa near Pune
Lavasa city has been designed on the principles of new urbanism, and is said to offer the best-in-class infrastructure, international educational institutions, leading non-polluting industries, exciting avenues of leisure & tourism and homes for comfortable living. An ecologically sustainable environment will help you live, work, learn and play in harmony with nature at Lavasa. Over 25,000 lakeside apartments and villas with over 50,000 employment opportunities should be available at Lavasa city. Apart from it’s diversity in work possibilities, Lavasa also present some wonderful housing options for permanent residents. Some other famous concepts of hill cities, but all developed during the British Raj, are Shimla, Kullu and Ooty.
How to reach:
How to go to Lavasa city from Pune (Magarpatta City): Go to Chandni Chowk. Proceed towards Mulshi Dam. Once you climb down Pirangut ghat, you woul start seeing big blue coloured signboards for Lavasa. After Pirangut, you have to take a left for Lavasa. Once on this road, you would cross Temghar dam. Keep going on this road until you see an arch on the right, which is the official entrance of lavasa. From this point, the road goes down to the dam and the city.
The distance to Lavasa from the turn on Mulshi road (after Pirangut) is around 30 kms. It is a wonderful hill road to drive on. If the management of Lavasa wanted people to settle down at Lavasa, they realised that they should make this place easily accessible. The road is very smooth (too smooth for indian roads) and the curves on the road make it a biker’s paradise.
Accommodation:
1.Ekaant – the retreat: A snug 20 room resort with tastefully furnished rooms, breathtaking views and a multi-cuisine restaurant, Vyanjan, that offers the best in culinary delights. Located amidst the mighty Sahyadris in Lavasa, India’s first ever planned hill city, Ekaant enjoys an unbeatable location advantage that makes the stay a perfect combination of solitude surrounded by the green hills and access to the modern infrastructure with excellent support & services.
2.Fortune Select Dasve: Fortune Select Dasve is a contemporary full-service hotel offering excellent range of facilities and services. Each room opens up to either the scenic hills or the serene Warasgaon Lake.
3.The Waterfront Shaw Apartment Hotel: Immerse in a luxurious lifestyle on the waterfront, between Warasgaon Lake and the picturesque mountain ranges. The accommodations at The Waterfront Shaw Apartment Hotel range from studio to 1 and 2 bedroom apartments with amenities that provide a wholesome living.
4.Mercure Lavasa: Offering a peaceful getaway, Mercure Lavasa features 130 modern rooms, a restaurant and a bar. Mercure Lavasa is the perfect accommodation for anyone looking for luxury at a reasonable price.
Things to do at Lavasa:
1.Bus and Train Tour.
2.Waterfall Safari.
3.Lakeshore Watersports.
4.Dasvino Town & Country Club.
5.Games Arcade.
