Executive Summary:
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2419 regarding tourism development in Bhagalpur, Bihar, answered on August 4, 2025. While no projects have been sanctioned specifically for Bhagalpur, the Ministry of Tourism supports state efforts through various schemes. The annexure details projects sanctioned in Bihar under various schemes aimed at developing tourism infrastructure and facilities.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Bhagalpur's Significance:** The Government acknowledges Bhagalpur district's historical, cultural, and religious importance.
* **Ministry's Role:** The Ministry of Tourism complements State/UT efforts by developing and promoting tourism products through various schemes and initiatives.
* **Bhagalpur Projects:** No projects have been sanctioned specifically in Bhagalpur by the Ministry of Tourism.
* **Projects in Bihar (Annexure):**
* **PRASHAD Scheme:**
* Development at Patna Sahib (Rs. 29.62 Crore)
* Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad temple, Gaya (Rs. 3.63 Crore)
* Development of Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran (Rs. 13.29 Crore)
* **Swadesh Darshan Scheme:**
* Tirthankar Circuit (2016-17): Vaishali Arrah Masad Patna Rajgir Pawapuri Champapuri (Rs. 33.96 Crore)
* Spiritual Circuit (2016-17): Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj Dharmshala Deoghar (Rs. 44.76 Crore)
* Buddhist Circuit (2016-17): Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya (Rs. 95.18 Crore)
* Rural Circuit (2017-18): Bhitiharwa Chandrahia Turkaulia (Rs. 44.27 Crore)
* Spiritual Circuit (2017-18): Development of Mandar Hill Ang Pradesh (Rs. 44.55 Crore)
* **Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme:**
* Bodh Gaya: Development of the Buddhist Meditation Experience Centre (Rs. 165.44 Crore)
* **Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD):**
* Development of Tourist Facilities at Sonepur Mela Ground, Saran (Rs. 24.29 Crore)
* **Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI):**
* Development of Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa (Rs. 97.61 Crore)
* Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub in Karamchat (Rs. 49.51 Crore)
* **Assistance to Central Agencies for Infrastructure Development:**
* 3D Mapping with Aqua Screen Projection and Sound Show at Buxar, and Dynamic Lighting Motif at Ram Rekha Ghat (Rs. 5.99 Crore)
* Gaya Railway Station (Rs. 5.18 Crore)
Impact Analysis:
* **State Government of Bihar:**
* *Impact:* Receives financial assistance for tourism development projects across the state (excluding specific projects in Bhagalpur).
* *Action Required:* Continue implementing and managing sanctioned projects, and propose new projects aligning with Ministry of Tourism schemes.
* **Ministry of Tourism:**
* *Impact:* Oversees and provides financial support for tourism development in Bihar.
* *Action Required:* Monitor the progress of sanctioned projects and evaluate the effectiveness of the schemes.
* **Residents and Pilgrims of Bihar:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from improved tourism infrastructure, facilities, and amenities at religious and cultural sites.
* *Action Required:* Utilize and provide feedback on the developed facilities.
Key Entities Referenced
Bhagalpur, Bihar: A district in the state of Bihar, India, known for its cultural heritage and religious sites, focus of the tourism development question.
SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL: Member of Parliament who raised the question in Lok Sabha regarding tourism development in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism who answered the question in Lok Sabha.
PRASHAD Scheme: A scheme under which projects in Bihar like 'Development at Patna Sahib', 'Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad temple, Gaya, Bihar' and 'Development of Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran' are sanctioned.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A scheme under which tourism circuits in Bihar, such as the Tirthankar Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Buddhist Circuit and Rural Circuit, are being developed.
Bodh Gaya: A town in Bihar and an important Buddhist pilgrimage site where the Buddhist Meditation Experience Centre is being developed under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme.
Sonepur Mela Ground, Saran: Location where Tourist Facilities will be developed under the Challenge Based Destination Development CBDD scheme.
SASCI Scheme: Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment Scheme under which projects like 'Development of Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa' and 'Karamchat EcoTourism and Adventure Hub in Karamchat' are sanctioned.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2419
ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN BHAGALPUR, BIHAR
†2419. SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that Bhagalpur district of Bihar is
famous for rich cultural heritage, ancient temples and religious
places like Champa Nagar, Vikramshila, Mahavihar and Bateshwar
Sthan;
(b) whether any special scheme/project has been initiated by the
Government to promote cultural and religious tourism in Bhagalpur
and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any special efforts are being made to bring these sites on
national/international tourist map;
(d) whether any financial assistance is being provided to the State
Government for development of roads, electricity, drinking water,
accommodation and other basic facilities for
pilgrims to these religious places; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a): Yes, Bhagalpur district of Bihar holds immense historical, cultural and
religious significance.
(b) to (e): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and
products, including cultural and religious tourism, is undertaken by the
respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration.
The Ministry complements the efforts of States/UTs by developing and
promoting various tourism products of the country, including cultural and
religious tourism in Bhagalpur through various schemes and initiatives.The Ministry of Tourism has not sanctioned any project in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
However, the Ministry has sanctioned various projects in Bihar under its
ongoing schemes, which are given in the Annexure. The major components
under these projects includes tourist facilitation centres, parking
development, signages, illumination, solar lights, external electrification,
development of approach roads, basic amenities like drinking water and
toilet blocks, etc.
*****ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (b) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.†2419 ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025 REGARDING
DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN BHAGALPUR, BIHAR RAISED BY SHRI AJAY
KUMAR MANDAL
List of Project under PRASHAD Scheme in Bihar
Sr. Name of the Project Amount Sanctioned
No. (Rs. Crore)
1 Development at Patna Sahib 29.62
2 Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad 3.63
temple, Gaya, Bihar
3 Development of Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran 13.29
List of Projects under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in Bihar
Sr. Circuit Name / Name of the Project Amount
No. Sanction Year Sanctioned
(Rs. Crore)
1 Tirthankar Circuit Development of Vaishali- Arrah- 33.96
2016-17 Masad- Patna- Rajgir- Pawapuri-
Champapuri
2 Spiritual Circuit Development of Kanwaria Route: 44.76
2016-17 Sultanganj – Dharmshala- Deoghar
3 Buddhist Circuit Development of Buddhist circuit- 95.18
Construction of Convention Centre
2016-17 at Bodhgaya
4 Rural Circuit Development of Bhitiharwa- 44.27
2017-18 Chandrahia- Turkaulia
5 Spiritual Circuit Development of Mandar Hill & Ang 44.55
2017-18 PradeshList of Projects under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in Bihar
Sr. Destination Name of the Project Amount
No. Sanctioned
(Rs. Crore)
1 Bodh Gaya Development of the Buddhist 165.44
Meditation & Experience Centre, Bodh
Gaya
List of Projects sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development
(CBDD), in Bihar
Sr. Sanctioned Cost
Name of the Project
No. (Rs. Crore)
Development of Tourist Facilities at Sonepur Mela
1 24.29
Ground, Saran
List of Projects sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for Capital
Investment (SASCI Scheme) in Bihar
Sr. Name of the Project Amount Sanctioned
No. (Rs. Crore)
1 Development of Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa 97.61
2 Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub in 49.51
Karamchat
List of Projects sanctioned under ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for
Infrastructure Development’ in Bihar
Sr. Name of the Project Amount Sanctioned
No. (Rs. Crore)
1 3D Mapping with Aqua Screen Projection and 5.99
Sound Show at Buxar, Bihar and Dynamic
Lighting & Motif at Ram Rekha Ghat, Bihar
2 Gaya Railway Station 5.18
*****