Bihar to take tourism development as countries promise funds

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.