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Patna,(BiharTimes): As part of the plan to revive ancient Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh a four-member team of World Bank visited Bodh Gaya on Thursday.
Led by Justin Yap, the programme manager of Investment Climate Advisory Services (ICAS) the team members visited some places around Bodh Gaya, including the World Heritage Mahabodhi Mahavihara. Tourism specialist Mike Fabncuib and operation analyst Tara Bajaj, is also in the team. ICAS functions under International Finance Corporation, a unit of World Bank. |
The team is at present conducting surveys of various sites. Later it would draw up an integrated development plan to bring the scattered sites in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh under a Buddhist circuit. The 13th Finance Commission has earmarked Rs 500 crore for the development, conservation and renovation of the Buddhist circuit sites.
According to Bodh Gaya Nagar Panchayat executive officer Sushil Kumar Mishra the team has sought copies of the city development plan and the master plan of Bodh Gaya. It will be furnished to the officials within two days. He added that Dhungeshwari Hills on the eastern side of river Falgu has also been included in the Buddhist circuit development plan. Both Gaya and Bodh Gaya are situated on its bank.
The plan reportedly proposes conducting a geo-radar survey, mapping, conservation and revival of ancient Buddhist sites around Bodh Gaya. Excavation work will be carried out around Bodh Gaya, wherever necessary. Another plan suggests construction of a 100-bed rest house for tourists at Dhungeshwari and Bodh Gaya at an estimated cost of Rs one crore each. The World Bank team stressed the improvement of sanitation in Bodh Gaya.
Apart from Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali have been included in the Buddhist Circuit. On the other hand, several other sites like Barabar Hills, Jethian and Gurpa in Gaya district and several other places in Rajgir and Nalanda have to be developed under the Buddhist circuit plan.
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