Is the Bilbao effect coming to Bastar? The government certainly hopes so. ‘The Bilbao Phenomenon’ harks back to the massive tourism push by Spain in its gritty industrial hub of Bilbao, which was dominated by steel mills and shipyards. In 1997, Spain transformed this region into a premier global tourism destination. The experiment was supported by a comprehensive urban renewal push and made Bilbao a tourism hotspot.
Nearly 30 years later, the Centre and Chhattisgarh government’s blueprint for Bastar looks similar. Plans are afoot to develop the former Maoist corridor into a tourism hub. Bastar is set for a modern transformation with a focus on immersive travel experiences. High-impact initiatives include the installation of a glass bridge, and a forest canopy walk, along with the introduction of specialized adventure tourism in Bastar’s Dudhmaras village, located within Kanger Valley National Park.
The regional blueprint prioritizes a robust connectivity framework to unlock Bastar’s remote tourism potential. Central to this strategy is the expansion of Jagdalpur Airport, complemented by a massive infrastructure rollout featuring 228 new roads and 267 bridges designed to streamline access to the hinterland.
The government’s bet on Bastar’s breathtaking ecological treasures may be just the prescription the land needs for economic boost. Bastar was long veiled by its dubious reputation as a conflict zone. The proposed glass bridge, the forest canopy walks and other such initiatives shall unlock the region’s spectacular raw beauty and help it emerge as a must-visit zone for social media enthusiasts with wanderlust.
There is a new global standard for adjudging the popularity of a tourism destination. It’s about how ‘Instagrammable’ the destination is. Across the world, nations are engaging high-profile teams that specialize in blending engineering with staggering visual artistry to create the ‘Wow!’ factor that pulls in tourists and drives economic growth.
The Gulmarg Gondola in Kashmir, one of the highest and longest cable car systems in the world, with dramatic heights over lush pine forests and alpine meadows, provides panoramic views of the Himalayas. The Instagrammable’ factor shall be enhanced further if tourists are involved in more activities at these high stations that are safe and exhilarating.
One such example in India where engineering meets artistry is the Sky Walk at Pelling in Sikkim. This is India's first glass bottom walk and walking on it is an ethereal experience. One feels like one is walking in space because the panels below are clear and transparent; one can look down upon a deep valley and a winding river thousands of feet below. Combined with the serene tranquillity of the environs and the stirring beauty of Sikkim’s roads, the joy of the Sky Walk proves how visionary tourism icons can act as a powerful catalyst for economic growth.
Another such example is from Kevadia, a remote tribal region in Gujarat. The 182 meters high statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the banks of the Narmada River here, called the Statue of Unity, has transformed the economy of the region. The site recorded a new milestone with 6.15 million visitors during 2025, surpassing the previous record of 5.82 million visitors in 2024. Since its inauguration in October 2018, the monument has recorded more than 24 million visitors.
Tourist regions thrive with multiple attractions. Close to the Statue of Unity, Kevadia offers the spectacular Arogya Van, a sprawling 17-acre wellness garden designed to showcase traditional Indian medicinal knowledge, specifically Ayurveda and Yoga. The garden’s centrepiece is Aushadh Manav, a giant three-dimensional layout of a human body in a resting posture. Studying the Aushadh Manav is a delight in itself; specific medicinal plants are grown on the corresponding body parts to show which herbs benefit which organs. The five distinct gardens of Arogya Van – the Aroma Garden, Garden of Colours, Yoga Garden, Alba Garden, and Leutea Garden – each focus on different sensory or therapeutic properties and are a joy to experience. There are other tourism attractions on the platter here, elevating the joyful experience. The government has supported the development of over 200 homestay rooms in tribal areas, allowing families to earn income through hospitality and authentic cultural experiences.
Turning engineering marvels into tourism magnets makes for good economic sense. The Chenab Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir, the world’s highest railway bridge, is a marvel of modern engineering and has taken the rail link to Kashmir valley. The bridge, 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower of France, is being developed as a major tourism asset with observation decks, panoramic glass-ceiling trains (Vistadome), and trekking trails around the arch. Homestays have begun flourishing in the region and there is a 35–40% increase in tourist arrivals.
India can develop many more iconic landmarks which shall significantly complement the tourism potential of our nation’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. The ‘Hands of God’ Bridge and the Kiss Bridge at Vietnam, Gardens by the Bay at Singapore, the Skygarden at Seoul in South Korea and many other such destinations are now global sensations for their ‘Instagrammable’ and symbolic architecture, creating a unique sense of place. ‘Destination architecture’ is the new mantra.
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