UP to promote Buddhist tourism in the state

Uttar Pradesh has negotiated a soft loan of Rs 680 crore from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation to develop the Buddhist tourism circuit in the state.

Confirming the development, Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary (tourism) Om Prakash said, "It carries an interest of 1.3 per cent."

The money will be used to develop the infrastructure (road networks and hotels) in the places like Kapilvastu, Sarnath, Shravasti, Sankisa and Kushinagar which are of interest to Buddhist tourists in the state.

After losing a large chunk of tourist traffic to Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh is trying hard to regain a part of it by developing new tourist circuits in the state. To increase the number of tourists to these places, UP is targeting 69 countries which have a sizeable Buddhist population.

Most of the money will be spent on developing the road network in the area. The state government is also likely to set up some hotels at these places.

Prakash said some hotels could also be built by private companies after the government announced its new Hotel Policy last year.

In addition, the state government has proposed to give 100 acres at Piprava (Kapilvastu) to 20 East Asian countries for setting up their missions.

"If about 20 countries can set up their monastries and missions there, it will help in attracting tourists," Prakash added.

He said talks had also been initiated with Nepal to build a road link between Piprava and Lumbini to complete the Buddhist circuit.