DEVELOPMENT OF VISHNUPAD AND MAHABODHI TEMPLE

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 Crores

ii. 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.

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(This statement was given by THE MINISTER OF TOURISM SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT in a written reply to a question in LOK SABHA on 03.08.2026)