The Centre has decided to allocate Rs 50 crore to Bihar as part of its collaborative effort to promote and bring a turnaround in the state's tourism, particularly to tap its Buddhist sites.
This move is in pursuance of president APJ Abdul Kalam's 10 point mission to transform the state's economy. The Rs 50 crore amount is part of the Centre's total outlay of Rs 500 crore to boost tourism in all states in the current fiscal.
"President Kalam himself spoke to me on the prospect of development of tourism in Bihar. The Union government will give priority to development of tourism, particularly the Buddhist sites in the state," Union tourism and culture minister Ambika Soni told reporters on Wednesday night after an hour long discussion with chief minister Nitish Kumar.
The Buddhist sites of Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali formed important components of development of "Buddhist Circuit" as part of "Incredible India" and "Walk with Buddha" tourism campaigns.
"In the past two days I visited the important Buddhist sites for further development of these sites," Soni said.
She also promised to provide world class status to some museums here which have rare collections of the Buddha period.
The chief minister said, "we have discussed the broader roadmap for development of tourism in Bihar and work of further enhancing infrastructural facilities at the important tourist spots in the state will start soon."
Kumar said with the help of satellite imagery and remote sensing, more sites of pristine glory would be located in Nalanda district.
A total of 87,50,541 tourists including 63, 321 foreigners visited Bihar in 2005-06, official statistics said.
RANJAN RITURAJ SINH
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