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NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget 2024 speech on Tuesday, unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing tourism in India, positioning the country as a premier global tourist destination.
Emphasizing the historical and cultural significance of tourism, Sitharaman outlined several projects to develop key tourist sites in Bihar and Odisha. The Budget 2024 has allocated substantial resources for the development of major religious and historical sites in Bihar. These initiatives include:
Vishnupad Temple Corridor: The temple, a significant religious site, will undergo comprehensive development to transform it into a world-class pilgrim destination. This project will be modelled after the successful Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project.
Mahabodhi Temple Corridor: Similarly, the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bodh Gaya, will see extensive development to enhance its status as a global spiritual destination.
Nalanda and Rajgir: The historic site of Nalanda will be developed as a major tourist centre with efforts to revive Nalanda University to its former glory. Rajgir, known for its religious significance to Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, will also see extensive development to boost its tourism potential.
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Sitharaman stated, “Our government will support the development of Nalanda as a tourist destination besides reviving Nalanda University to its glorious stature. Rajgir holds immense religious significance for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. A comprehensive development initiative for Rajgir will be undertaken.”
In addition to Bihar, the central government will focus on developing tourism in Odisha, a state known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Key initiatives include:
Scenic and Cultural Sites: The government aims to leverage Odisha’s scenic beauty, temples, craftsmanship, wildlife sanctuaries, and pristine beaches to attract more visitors. This comprehensive development plan will position Odisha as a premier tourist hotspot.
Connectivity and Infrastructure: Sitharaman reiterated the government’s commitment to improving connectivity to boost tourism. The Amritsar-Kolkata industrial corridor will include the establishment of an industrial node in Gaya, enhancing access to key tourist sites.
She remarked, “Tourism has always been a part of our civilization. Our efforts in positioning India as a global tourist destination will also create jobs, stimulate investments, and unlock economic opportunities for other sectors.”
The Finance Minister also noted that the total allocation for the Ministry of Tourism was increased marginally to ₹2,449 crore for the financial year 2024-25, compared with ₹2,400 crore in 2023-24. This increase is intended to support the various new initiatives announced.
The announcement of these projects follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the ruins of Nalanda in Bihar, where he emphasized the historical significance of the site. “Nalanda is the proclamation of this truth that books may burn in the flames of fire, but the flames of fire cannot destroy knowledge. Nalanda is an identity, respect, and pride,” Modi said.
Overall, the Budget 2024 underscores the government’s commitment to promoting tourism as a means of economic growth and cultural preservation.
