Bihar Tourism to spend Rs 300 crore to build up infrastructure

Travel and Tourism in India has the having the highest 10 year growth potential and as per The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness report 2007, India was ranked sixth in terms of price competitiveness and 39th in terms of safety and security. In an auction to get most out of the tourism sector in India and to attract more and more visitors, the Bihar Tourism  department is planning to invest Rs 300 crore to fortify infrastructure.

“Work on setting up Ramayan and Sufi tourism circuits have commenced and a total of Rs 300 crore is being allocated by the State Tourism Department to develop the required infrastructure,” the Information Officer of Bihar Department of Tourism said in a release.

The Central administration for the year 2011-2012 earlier had announced Rs 3,043.89 lakh for the purpose of development.

As per the development plan, BSTDC plans to develop tourism activities centered on the river Ganga, promote its traditional circuits – Buddhist, Jain and Sikh – in Southeast Asian countries. At present, the corporation already has launched a floating restaurant and it also provides cruise services on the river between Kolkata – Varanasi and Faraka – Patna.

The Corporation is also planning open the Ganga River Island, which will offer camel rides and food courts.

It will also promote aqua tourism for the domestic and international markets. Bihar is one of the oldest continuously colonized places in the world with history of around 3000 years. The main places of attraction in Bihar are:

Attractions:

• Patna – The capital of Bihar, famous for its rich history and royal architecture.
• Gaya – Known for Bodh Gaya the place at which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment.
• Muzaffarpur – Famous for its education.
• Kesariya – Location of the world’s largest Buddhist Stupa.
• Nalanda – Location of one of the world’s oldest university.
• Sasaram – Tomb of Sher Shah Suri, the great Emperor of medieval India.
• Sonepur Cattle Fair – The Sonepur cattle fair or Sonepur Mela, it is the biggest cattle fair of Asia and stretches on from fifteen days to one month.
• Takht Sri Patna Sahib – One of the famous Sikh pilgrimage known for the birth place of Sikh’s Tenth Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.
• Darbhanga – It is among the oldest cities of Bihar. Famous for the Maharaja forts and Kali Mandir.
• Munger – Home to the only Yoga University in the world, Bihar School of Yoga. Religious places such as Shakti Peethas.

Other famous Attraction includes Mahabodhi Temple, a Buddhist shrine and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Barabar Caves the oldest rock cut caves in India, Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library the oldest library of India.