Rs 5600-cr Japan grant for state's Buddhist circuit
Pranava K Chaudhary
[ 31 Jan, 2007 0223hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]


PATNA: Japan has agreed to offer a grant to the tune of Rs 5,600 crore
for infrastructure development of Buddhist circuit in Bihar. These
include landscaping, solid waste management and improvement of
existing drains and electrification.

The Rs 5600-crore grant to be given by the Japan Bank of International
Cooperation (JBIC) will also fund construction of four-lane roads as
part of the infrastructure development in the state's Buddhist
circuit. A total 481.20-km stretch of roads will be covered under the
project. The existing 275-km stretch of the
Bakhtiarpur-Biharsharif-Nalanda-Rajgir-Hisua-Gaya-Bodh Gaya route will
be fully upgraded under the project.Bihar road construction secretary
R K Singh will submit the feasibility report on the identified roads
to JBIC latest by February 15. Buddhist circuit roads will be
developed on a par with international standard.

Similarly, it is understood Japan has also expressed it eagerness in
developing water supply scheme, sewerage project, solid waste
management and improvement of existing drains and construction of new
drains and electrification at Bodh Gaya. A sum of Rs 50 crore would be
spent on the landscaping and flood protection measures at Bodh Gaya.

JBIC has also extended financial assistance in developing basic
facilities like drinking water, electricity and sewerage system at
Nalanda, Vaishali, Rajgir, Kesariya, Areraj and Mangalgarh.

Moreover, the famous tourist spot at Barabar Cave located on the
Patna-Gaya route will also be developed.
Under the destination development plan, access ways, toilet
facilities, reception centre and landscape development around the
existing lake would be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore.
Bihar's resident commissioner in New Delhi C K Mishra told TOI that
the project was finalised at a high-level meeting held in New Delhi
recently.

Additional director general in Union ministry of tourism Sanjay
Kothari, joint secretary in Union ministry of tourism Amitabh Kant,
JBIC representative Mitsunari Sayato, Bihar tourism secretary R S
Tiwary, besides Mishra attended the meeting.Japan has also expressed
interest in the construction of greenfield airport in Patna with all
modern facilities. In this regard, the Centre has directed the Bihar
government to prepare a preliminary site selection report in
collaboration with the National Airport Authority of India.

The JBIC has also agreed to grant a sum of Rs 600 crore for the
construction of control tower, technical block, fire station,
strengthening and extension of runway, land acquisition, provision of
runway associated systems and diversion of roads and power lines at
Bodh Gaya airport.