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Patna, (BiharTimes): The flow of foreign tourists in Bihar has multiplied four times in the last two years. The figure has gone up from 94,446 in 2006 to 3,56,446 in 2008.
According to tourism minister Rampravesh Rai altogether 1,77,362 foreigners visited the state in 2007, a rise of
87.79 percent over the previous year which shot up to 3,56,446 in 2008. Thus it registered an increase of 100.97 percent in one year.
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Keeping in mind the vast potential for Buddhist, Jain
and Sikh pilgrims the state government has substantially increased budgetary allocations to the sector by ten times in the last five years.
The minister said that while a Rs three crore was earmarked for tourism for 2005-06, it was raised to Rs seven crore in 2006-07, Rs 25 crore in 2007-08, Rs 26.79 Crore in 2008-09 and Rs 30 crore in 2009-10.
However, in comparison to the foreign tourists the rise in domestic tourists is not so much. The number of domestic tourists has grown from 1,03,52887 in 2007 to 1,21,95,590 in 2008, a rise of 17.79 percent.
Speaking on the occasion principal secretary of the department Rashmi Verma, said the department has decided to build a five star hotel in Patna and starred hotels at Bodh Gaya and Rajgir. The hotels would be constructed with public-private partnership and tenders have already been invited for the purpose with nine bidders including Tata-owned Taj group, ITC and Hyatt expressing their
interest in the projects.
She said a new ropeway has been planned at Rajgir, which already has one, and Mundeshwari temple in Kaimur district.
With a view to making travel more convenient for all tourists including foreign guests, steps were underway for broadening and strengthening roads linking shrines on Buddhist, Jain and Sikh religious circuits.
Besides, talks are on with several aviation companies for increasing the frequency of international flights to and from Gaya airport and introducing domestic flights. Verma said that steps are being taken for developing tourist sites at Vaishali, Jehanabad, Dobhi, Hisua, Maner, Kesaria, Lauria and Nandangarh.
comments...
It is a very positive development and invariably shows that good times has come for this unfortunate state where only a few months back the tourist bus was looted at Akbarpur near Nawada.
Given proper security environment and basic amenities,it is certain that not only foregn but even domestic tourists will flock this state in large number .
Gaya is very famous because here only, the Hindus can perform Pindan ceremony for the soul of their ancesters in the world but if you happen to visit this one of the most ancient cities of India you will find only slum environment everywhere.There is no proper drainage system at all.Sewer water flows freely on roads ,specially in the rainy season when the pitripksh mela is held every year.Local administration is a complete failure in the state.They can not maintain sanctity of governance even on important occasions.It is the responsibility of the didtrct magistrate to maintain law and order,cleanliness,social sanctity,public facility etc of every division but the same is not seen anywhere in Bihar including tourist places like Bodh gaya,Rajgir ,
Nalanda,Biharsarif,Pawapuri,Giriak,Gonama ,Nawada ,Kaua Kol
Gaya appears to be the dirtiest places on earth.Even Bombay,s Chinchpokli is cleaner than this place.
There should be Tourist Police as it in Southern States to ensure safety of travelers.
Government should make DM,s responsible for overall arrangements and accountable if any thing goes wrong.He should make new developmental projecs of the distrist and get them implemented.
Let God give us spirit tocall Bihar cm not only Nitish Kumar but Vikas Kumar.
Dhirendra P Singh
Dp.dhirendra@gmail.com
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