Golf Clubs and much More :)

PATNA: If the state government plans are implemented, Bihar will become a golfer's delight with as many as four golf courses and even a golf academy. The UK-based Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) on Friday submitted a detailed project report for setting up a "golf resort" on a 200-acre plot of land near the Bodh Gaya international airport. "Once we get the official nod, we will have a 18-hole golf course, with two hotels (one five-star and the other three-star) and other real estate development in the area within 30 months," said Randeep Waraich, director (operations) of the PGA, which has been in existence since 1901. The estimated cost of the project is about Rs 100 crore, he added. "The basic idea is to sell destination Bodh Gaya to foreign Buddhist tourists coming by chartered planes," remarked Bihar tourism secretary R S Tiwari. He said PGA chief Bob Hunt will visit Patna soon to make a presentation before CM Nitish Kumar. Apart from the "golf resort" at Bodh Gaya, there is also a proposal for a nine-hole golf course at Rajgir, which will be handed over to Sainik School for maintenance, and possible establishment of a golf academy there. Tiwari said the state government proposes to upgrade the facilities available at the Patna Golf Club by setting up a swimming pool, cottage for guests and sprinkler irrigation system there. Architects J K Lal and Associates have prepared a project for it which is estimated to cost Rs 1.87 crore.

The tourism department has also offered to co-operate with the railways in reviving the golf track at Jamalpur in Munger district. "The golf track has existed since the British era. It is only to be revived," Tiwari said. It is not only through golf that the state government hopes to give a major boost to tourism at Bodh Gaya. In his meeting with tourist department officials on Friday, Nitish approved Rs 67 crore for creating a 200-metre green belt near the Mahabodhi temple, which is one of the preconditions for the temple to be declared a World Heritage site. The government also approved the transfer of Jai Prakash Park adjoining the temple premises to the Mahabodhi temple management committee in order to give devotees more space around the temple. The 17 acres of land on which Bodh Gaya block offices are located has been transferred to the tourism department. The department will develop a market complex and other facilities. "All the buildings will have a Mauryan design which is to be prepared by chief architect of HUDCO R K Safaya," said Tiwari. The government has also given its approval for establishment of a "cultural village" in Nalanda near the Xuan Zang memorial hall for which the Union government has already sanctioned Rs 3.5 crore. Tiwari said the Chinese have shown interest in building of this "cultural village" and in December over 150 Chinese delegates will attend a meeting there, where the urn of Xuan Zang, currently kept under lock and key at the Patna Museum, will be displayed.

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RANJAN RITURAJ SINH