Bihar to have its tourism policy soon

Patna, Apr 27 (UNI) In order to fully exploit the immense tourism potential and to bring Bihar on the international map of tourism, the state government has decided to frame its new tourism policy soon.

Bihar Toursim Minister Nandkishore Yadav said here today that the new policy would be prepared by next month adding it was for the first time that the state was all set to come out with an alluring policy to promote tourism. Outlining the historical, religious and other places having immense potential to attract tourists both domestic and foreigners, Mr Yadav said that the states art and culture would be promoted in and outside the country with the help of the new policy.

Once the tourists places were developed with international standards, it would boost the states economy and would also generate employment, he hoped. Mr Yadav said the department was planning to impart training to the local youth to work as tour and travel guide.

He said the government had already sanctioned over Rs 1922 lakhs for execution of projects related to development of infrastructure at the tourist site in Bodhgaya. He said the main temple of Lord Buddha in Bodhgaya would be given an attractive look through lighting arrangements and added that the background music systems would give a soothing effect on the minds of the visitors.The visitors would get the facility to view the worship and other offerings being made to Lord Buddha in the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple through the close TV network likely to function in the temple from the next tourism season.

Apart from this, the riverside area of Niranjana river near Boodhgaya, which is a picnic spot, would also be developed, he said adding that proposals to make landscapes and other infrastructure at the site were under consideration.

The minister said that the famous hot springs of Rajgir would be given a face lift and the government was contemplating to set up a local haat(market) near the hot springs where the famous goods depicting art and culture of Bihar would be available in all ranges for the tourists.

He said besides communication facilities all other infrastructures were being developed at the tourist spots of the state.

UNI