Parliament Question: Development of Vishnupad and Mahabodhi Temple

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*218 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF VISHNUPAD AND MAHABODHI TEMPLE †*218. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

SHRI RAMPRIT MANDAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) the current status of the comprehensive development project of Vishnupad Temple, Gaya and Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya Corridor in Bihar, as announced in the Union Budget for the year 2024-25; and

(b) the present status of the project/scheme to revive Nalanda University and develop Nalanda as a world class tourist centre? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (b): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. ******STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (B) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*218 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF VISHNUPAD AND MAHABODHI TEMPLE RAISED BY SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR AND SHRI RAMPRIT MANDAL

(a) to (b): The Union Budget 2024-25 announced the comprehensive development of the Vishnupad Temple Corridor and Mahabodhi Temple Corridor in Bihar. The Ministry of Tourism took forward the Budget announcement in consultation with the State Government of Bihar.

Further, development and promotion of tourism is primarily done by the concerned State Government (SG)/UT Administration (UTA). However, Ministry of Tourism under its various schemes such as Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) – an initiative under Swadesh Darshan and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) etc. provides financial assistance for development of tourism infrastructure and experiences in the country, to the SGs/UTAs, on receipt of the project proposals from them, in synergy with the scheme guidelines, Government directions, availability of funds, inter-se priority etc.

Ministry of Tourism under its Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme has sanctioned a project ‘Development of the Buddhist Meditation & Experience Centre’ at Bodhgaya for an amount of ₹165.44 Crore in March 2025. Apart from that, State Government of Bihar has also sanctioned projects as listed below:

i. Projects for Comprehensive development of Brahmkund area, Rajgir amounting - ₹49.87 Croresii. Development of Dharmashala at Gaya Ji – ₹120.15 Crores iii. Development of Pathway cum shed building, Construction of Alternate approach to Vishnupad temple road & Bus parking - Cost ₹61.96 Crores iv. Development of Tourist facility at Gurupa Hill – ₹9.17 Crores v. Development of Replica of 7 wonders of the world (In Silaunja Bodhgaya) - ₹14.85 Crores Ropeways vi. Development of Ropeway at Brahmyoni Hill, Gaya Ji -₹8.67 Crores vii. Development of Ropeway at Dungeshwari Hill, Bodhgaya -₹16.76 Crores viii. Development of Ropeway at Pretshila Hill, Gaya Ji -₹10.48 Crores Further, the State Government of Bihar has informed that it undertakes planning for various infrastructure and destination development Initiatives to further integrate and promote Nalanda as a world class tourist centre and a Final Comprehensive Destination Strategy and Development Plan for the overall development of Rajgir and Nalanda has been prepared.

Presently there is no proposal of development of Nalanda under active consideration of the Ministry of Tourism. ******