The Hindu : Bodh Gaya all set for a makeover

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 03, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Bodh Gaya all set for a makeover

BODH GAYA (BIHAR), MARCH 2 . The pilgrim town of Bodh Gaya, recently declared as a World Heritage Site, is all set for a makeover, with the Union Tourism and Culture Ministry planning to develop and promote the place as an international tourist destination.

The Mahabodhi Temple Complex, where Prince Siddartha attained enlightenment in sixth century BC and became the Buddha, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO last year and the formal dedication ceremony took place here recently.

Armed with the granting of this status, the Union Tourism and Culture Ministry has plans to develop Bodh Gaya into an international pilgrimage site.

``We are grateful to UNESCO that they responded to our request, and have given the status of World Heritage Site to the Mahabodhi Temple. This has put Bodh Gaya on the world map'', Union Tourism and Culture Minister Jagmohan says.

However, he feels there is ``still a lot to be done'' and promises ``much more infrastructure and facilities'' to Bihar to develop its tourism sector. ``We promise to give all support for infrastructure and development but the Bihar government has to lend a helping hand,'' he says.

``The Centre is investing a lot here. We welcome all suggestions but we require the assistance of the state government,'' he says.

Further, problems of complaints faced by foreigners of looting and other law and order problems can be handled by the state alone.

Bihar's Tourism Minister Ashok Kumar Singh feels the status of a world heritage site to the Mahabodhi temple, which is the nucleus of Buddhist pilgrimage, is going to render a quantum increase in inflow of tourists and pilgrims towards India in general and Bihar in particular''. ``Hence, it becomes inevitable to boost at Bodh Gaya proper tourist facilities and infrastructure at par with international standards'', he says.

Singh has also asked the Centre for induction of Kesaria, Lauria Nadan Gadh and Vikranshila into the present Buddhist circuit for their significance in relation to Buddhism.

On the recommendations of the Chandra Committee's report, which envisages the need for connecting all Buddhist sites with good roads, Singh suggests that the Centre initiate a special ``Buddhist Circuit Road Programme'' on the lines of the Prime Minister's Golden Quadrilateral Project.

``This road of international quality should connect all sites for example Lumbini, Kushinagar, Sarnath, Gaya, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Patna, Vaishali, Nalanda. It will greatly benefit the country's tourism industry,'' he adds.

Jagmohan says plans to link various Buddhist pilgrimage sites are on. ``Plans are on to connect major Buddhist pilgrimage sites like Rajgir, Nalanda, Lumbini and Kushinagar in a larger circuit through modern roads. A certain section of the work, total cost of which is more than Rs 50 crores, has already been done and results will be visible after some time,'' he says.

About the resettlement and rehabilitation work in order to renovate the Mahabodhi complex, Jagmohan says, ``all resettlement around the complex will be done properly. We will try to keep displacement to a minimum and take care of all aspects like water, sewage etc.''

Singh has also requested the Centre to complete the job of turning Gaya Airport into an international airport at the earliest so that it can have required infrastructure and facilities ready well before the forthcoming tourist season. -- PTI

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