Japan funded Buddhist circuit project dropped in UP

NEW DELHI: Government has decided to "drop" the Japanese funded Rs 396-crore Buddhist Circuit development project in Uttar Pradesh fearing its continuation of would have an adverse impact on environment.

Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha today, Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi said a loan agreement was signed by the government with Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) on March 31, 2005 for implementation of phase II of Baudh Paripath Project or UP Buddhist Circuit Development Project at a total cost of about Rs 396 crores.

After inspection of some of the project sites in July 2012, JICA had conveyed that the ground realities have changed since the signing of the loan agreement in 2005 and that continuation of the project would not be possible since implementation of the project would require compliance under a different category.

In view of the observation of JICA, it has been decided to discontinue and drop the UP Buddhist Development Project, Chiranjeevi said in the written reply.