 "Budget 2024 gives boost to religious tourism: Bihar, Odisha in focus")
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget 2024 speech on Tuesday, unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing tourism in India. Emphasising the historical and cultural significance of tourism, Sitharaman highlighted several projects to position India as a premier global tourist destination.
In Bihar, the Vishnupad Temple Corridor and the Mahabodhi Temple Corridor are set to undergo comprehensive development. These sites, rich in religious and historical importance, will be transformed into world-class pilgrim and tourist destinations, modelled after the successful Kashi-Vishwanath Corridor project.
Rajgir, another historically significant location, will see extensive development. Additionally, Nalanda is set to be developed as a major tourist centre with plans to revive the prestigious Nalanda University to its former glory.
Budget 2024 on Odisha tourism
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The central government will also focus on developing tourism in Odisha. Known for its scenic beauty, temples, craftsmanship, and wildlife, Odisha holds great potential as a tourist hotspot. The government aims to leverage these assets to attract more visitors to the state.
Budget 2024 on connectivity and infrastructure to boost tourism
Sitharaman reiterated the government's commitment to improving connectivity to boost tourism. As part of this strategy, the Amritsar-Kolkata industrial corridor will see the establishment of an industrial node in Gaya.
An allocation of Rs 26,000 crore has been made for critical infrastructure projects in Bihar. These include the construction of the Patna-Purnea expressway, the Buxar-Bhagalpur highway, a two-lane bridge over the Ganga river in Buxar, and the Bodhgaya-Rajgir-Vaishali-Darbhanga corridor. According to the Finance Minister, these projects are vital for spurring growth in the eastern region of the country.
Reacting to the Budget announcements on tourism, Chetan Agarwal, Executive Partner at Tattvam Group, says, "In my view, the increased focus on tourism will act as a catalyst for employment and the economy, benefiting businesses."
"Improved road infrastructure will bolster the travel and tourism sector. We welcome the initiatives to develop iconic spiritual and cultural sites into world class tourist hotspots," says Rajesh Magow, co-founder & group CEO, MakeMyTrip.