New Delhi: With countries like China, Taiwan
and Japan promising to invest more than Rs 200 crore, Bihar
government is preparing to transform the state into a
world-class destination for religious and historical tourism.
While the state government has already chalked out plans
for revamping the tourism industry on priority basis,
dedicated funds have started to pour in for various
destinations after the recent visit of Chief Minister Nitish
Kumar to Bhutan and China.
"Taiwan has promised to invest Rs 100 crore in restoring
the tourist sites at Betiyah and Nandangarh, popularly known
as part of the Buddha Trail. Similarly, China has proposed
equal investment for Nalanda- the ancient centre for higher
learning," state Tourism Minister Sunil Kumar Pintu told PTI.
"Bihar is the birth place of religions such as Buddhism
and Jainism. It is also the birth place of Goddess Sita and
Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. It also has a special significance for
believers of Sufism," he said.
Meanwhile, Japan, besides showing interest in developing
the tourist sites, has promised financial support for other
projects in the state.
"Japan is ready to support all kinds of projects starting
from roads, infrastructure and education," the Tourism
Minister said.
"Bihar has undergone some much needed image makeover in
last five years. Now the focus is going to be on tourism which
has been declared as the top priority area," Pintu said,
adding that the budget allocation for tourism department will
be more than doubled in the next fiscal.
To cater to the rising number of tourists, the state
government has started to empanel hotels, guest houses and
other places of accommodation after ensuring that they fulfill
the basic needs for catering to international visitors.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, January 08, 2012, 14:42