Tue Apr 29 06:03:22 UTC 2025: ## Maharashtra Launches Tourist Security Force After Pahalgam Attack

**Mumbai, April 29, 2025** – In response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the Maharashtra government announced the launch of a pilot “Tourism Security Force (Paryatan Mitra)” aimed at boosting tourist confidence and safety. The initiative, spearheaded by Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai, will debut during the Mahabaleshwar festival (May 1-4) in Satara district.

Twenty-five personnel, contracted through the Satara District Superintendent of Police’s office, will receive specialized training and utilize modern technology, including CCTV and a dedicated helpline, to ensure tourist safety. The force will be operational from April 25th to August 31st, 2025.

The project, a collaboration between the Tourism Department, State Security Board, and Maharashtra Ex-Servicemen Corporation Ltd. (MESCO), will provide tourists with information on local culture, history, and regulations. Principal Secretary Atul Patne highlighted the initiative’s potential to attract more tourists and stimulate the local economy.

Following the pilot program, the government plans to establish a full-fledged “Maharashtra Tourism Security Force” across the state, aiming for ₹1 lakh crore in private investment and 18 lakh new jobs in the tourism sector. The cost of the pilot program will be shared by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, the Maharashtra State Security Corporation, and the Satara District Superintendent of Police’s office.

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