Gujarat chalks Rs 513-lakh plan to develop tourist places

Ahmedabad, Mar 7: As part of observing year 2006 as the 'Tourism Year' the Gujarat Government has chalked out a Rs 513 lakh action plan to develop such places of tourist interest as Dwarka, Somnath, Palitana, Girnar and Sasan Gir.

While Rs 200 lakh has been earmarked for Dwarka, known to be the erstwhile kingdom of Lord Krishna, another Rs 100 lakh will be spent in Somnath, where a beautiful temple of Jyotirling, plundered and looted by invaders, stands right on the sea shore.

For development of tourist-related facilities in the holy mountains of Girnar, Rs 103 will be spent and Rs 50 lakh in Palitana where world famous Jain temples are located. The world's only abode of Asiatic lions will get Rs 60 lakhs as part of the package.

UNI