JBIC finance UP tourism

The Uttar Pradesh tourism has bagged financial assistance from Japan Bank of International Corporation's (JBIC) for development of Buddhist places in UP. The state is celebrating Buddha's 2550th birth anniversary.

"We have received loan from JBIC of Rs 680 cr for development of Buddhist destinations in UP," Kawkab Hameed, minister of tourism UP said. He was in the city to promote UP tourism.

The loan was earlier allocated to Bihar but was routed to UP as Bihar failed to utilise it. The funds would be used to develop Buddhist places in Kushinagar, Kapilvastu, Kausambi, Sarnath, Sravasti and Sankisa. He said that Japan, Combodia, Korea, Thailand and Sri Lanka have shown interest to promote Buddhism.

Meanwhile, the state is celebrating annual Taj Mahotsav in Agra from February 18-27. He said that the government will approach the Supreme Court to reduce the night view distance for Taj Mahal to 127 m from 330 m as the Taj is not properly visible from 330 m.