Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said his government will make efforts for getting the "world heritage site" status for the cyclopean wall at famous tourist destination of Rajgir.
"The cyclopean wall at Rajgir is among the oldest specimen of this type of masonry across the world. Our government's efforts had led to the ancient Nalanda University getting world heritage site status. We will make efforts to get the same status for the cyclopean wall", Kumar said here while inaugurating the three-day Rajgir Mahotsav festival.
The Chief Minister also expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of the Archaeological Survey of India, saying "there are so many spots in Nalanda district where there is scope for excavations. But the ASI hardly takes note".
Notably, the Rajgir festival was to begin on November 25 at the historical "Qilla Maidan", but following objections raised by the ASI the programme was deferred and the venue shifted to a newly-built convention centre.
The Chief Minister also said "Qilla Maidan will not be disturbed. We will do everything possible for its preservation. In future, all such programmes will be held at the convention centre".
Recalling that Rajgir used to be the capital of the mighty Magadh kingdom, Kumar took a jibe at his arch rival Lalu Prasad, without mentioning him by name, saying "some people say that my tomb will be built in Rajgir. Can I think of a greater honour for myself".
"Some people believe in accumulating pelf upon achieving power. But I believe in serving the people and will continue to do so as far as I am in power", he said in an obvious dig at Lalu Prasad and his family.
Speaking on the occasion, tourism minister Pramod Kumar said "2.5 crore domestic and 10.1 lakh foreign tourists visited Rajgir in the year 2016".
Minister for Rural Development and Parliamentary Affairs Shravan Kumar said "Rajgir is the meeting point for all faiths".
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