Roadmap to devp Buddhist circuit

Hajipur, Apr 13: The Centre and the state government have agreed to evolve a roadmap to develop the Buddhist circuit into a world class tourist destination.

After inaugurating the Institute of Hotel Management at Hajipur in Vaishali district yesterday, Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told newspersons that both the governments have decided to frame a roadmap to encash tourism potential of Buddhist circuit.

They said both the centre and the state government would work jointly for promoting Buddhist circuit on an international platform as the tourist spots lying in the circuit were centre of attraction for foreign tourists.

Inspired by the tourism potential of Buddhist circuit specially located in Bihar, Ms Soni said she made a whirlwind tour of the entire circuit from Bodhgaya to Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali.

She assured to provide all necessary facilities and infrastructure to bring the Buddhist circuit on the tourism map.

It would prove to be largest employment generating sector in Bihar, she hoped and added that in view of the immense potential her ministry was aggressively promoting the Buddhist circuit.

Ms Soni said the roads of Buddhist circuit constructed with the help of Japan government would be converted into four lanes for smooth communication.

Her government was planning to develop an international airport in Bodh Gaya.

Amazed with the manuscripts kept in the library and rare idols in sizeable number in the museums of Nalanda, Rajgir and Bodhgaya, she promised to extend full financial help for their better upkeep.

She also assured to provide better facilities at the famous hot springs in Rajgir.

Ms Soni announced that her government had given Rs 50 crores in the current financial year for an overall development of Buddhist circuit.

She said Patna and Bodh Gaya along with Gaya town had been taken up under Jawaharlal Nehru Renewal Mission for their development as model towns.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed pleasure for the positive gesture shown by the Centre for development of Buddhist circuit and said that the views and aims of both the Centre and the state government for promoting tourism in Bihar were similar.

UNI