Patna: Chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Sunday directed officials to launch subsidised helicopter services to major tourist destinations, including Maa Mundeshwari temple and Karkatgarh waterfall in Kaimur district and Rajgir in Nalanda, as part of a broader plan to strengthen tourism connectivity in Bihar.
Chairing a high-level review meeting of the tourism department at Sankalp Auditorium in Lok Sevak Awas, the CM’s residence in Patna, Choudhary also instructed officials to start concessional air services to Valmikinagar every Saturday and Sunday.
He asked the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation to ensure an “end-to-end” service for tourists, covering their journey from departure to arrival in Patna.
The CM said the project of proposed Vishnupad Temple Corridor in Gaya and Mahabodhi Temple Corridor in Bodh Gaya should be finalised at the earliest so that work could begin soon. He stressed that ongoing projects at major tourist centres such as Rajgir, Gaya and Nalanda must be completed within a fixed timeframe.
“Bihar has to be brought onto the global tourism map, for which infrastructure has to be strengthened and religious and historical sites have to be given a facelift,” Choudhary told officials. He said work must be done to give global recognition to Bihar’s cultural heritage.
Emphasising the historical and spiritual significance of Rajgir, Choudhary said it would be developed as a “Global Centre of Spiritual Learning”. He directed that existing state-of-the-art facilities at Rajgir be expanded and upgraded to attract more domestic and international tourists.
Discussing Nalanda’s tourism potential, the CM said a special integrated package would be prepared to re-establish it as a “Global Knowledge and Cultural Destination”. He added that Nalanda’s world heritage status would be further strengthened through focused development initiatives.
Choudhary also asked officials to prepare a special action plan for the comprehensive development of the Pawapuri temple complex. He said the govt would promote investment and better management in the tourism sector through the public-private partnership mode.
The CM said the state would promote the homestay policy on a large-scale to introduce visitors to Bihar’s traditional hospitality and create local employment opportunities. He said improved infrastructure, corridor development and homestay initiatives would enhance tourism while generating jobs for local youth.
Earlier, tourism secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh gave a presentation on the updated status of tourism department schemes and development work at major tourist centres across the state.
