Patna:
The Centre proposes to develop a 'Sufi circuit' in Bihar and Jharkhand in a big way to attract tourists from across the country and abroad, Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay said today.
"If the large number of mazaars located in Bihar and Jharkhand which are visited by a large number of people could be developed as tourist destinations, it would definitely boost the economies of the two states and generate employment," Sahay told a function here.
The Bihar Sharif mazaar at Phulwarisharif, Maner sharif, the mausoleum of Sher Shah Suri at Sasaram and dargahs at Munger and Jamui were the proposed destinations of the Sufi circuit in Bihar, he said.
The development of the Sufi circuit and creation of additional infrastructure at the tourist destinations under the Buddhist circuit may potentially catapult Bihar as a tourist hub of the country, the Minister said and lauded the state for recording a high tourist inflow.
Sahay also stressed on creation of quality infrastructure like hotels and lodgings at tourist destinations in Bihar, particularly at Bodh Gaya, to attract foreign tourists.
Stressing on tourism infrastructure development at Bodh Gaya, he said foreigners could then stay there for a longer periods which in turn would benefit the local people. "The Centre will help in this regard."
The Centre was also committed to promote arts and culture including theatre activities in the state, he said and asked the state government to submit proposals in this regard. Sahay, however, criticised Bihar government for its 'insincerity' in completing 23 tourism projects sanctioned by the Centre under the 10th plan.
"If the large number of mazaars located in Bihar and Jharkhand which are visited by a large number of people could be developed as tourist destinations, it would definitely boost the economies of the two states and generate employment," Sahay told a function here.
The Bihar Sharif mazaar at Phulwarisharif, Maner sharif, the mausoleum of Sher Shah Suri at Sasaram and dargahs at Munger and Jamui were the proposed destinations of the Sufi circuit in Bihar, he said.
The development of the Sufi circuit and creation of additional infrastructure at the tourist destinations under the Buddhist circuit may potentially catapult Bihar as a tourist hub of the country, the Minister said and lauded the state for recording a high tourist inflow.
Sahay also stressed on creation of quality infrastructure like hotels and lodgings at tourist destinations in Bihar, particularly at Bodh Gaya, to attract foreign tourists.
Stressing on tourism infrastructure development at Bodh Gaya, he said foreigners could then stay there for a longer periods which in turn would benefit the local people. "The Centre will help in this regard."
The Centre was also committed to promote arts and culture including theatre activities in the state, he said and asked the state government to submit proposals in this regard. Sahay, however, criticised Bihar government for its 'insincerity' in completing 23 tourism projects sanctioned by the Centre under the 10th plan.
