New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday announced that the government will support the comprehensive development of Bihar's Vishnupad temple corridor and Mahabodhi temple to transform these sites into "world-class pilgrim and tourist destinations". According to official figures, the Budget outlay for the tourism sector stands at Rs 2,479.62 crore for 2024-25, as compared to Rs 1,692.
10 crore allocated in the last Budget (revised). The Vishnupad temple, located next to the Falgu river in Gaya, is one of the most ancient Hindu shrines while the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. "Tourism has always been a part of our civilisation.
Our efforts in positioning India as a global tourist destination will also create jobs, stimulate investments and unlock economic opportunities for other sectors," Sitharaman said in her Budget speech. In addition to the measures outlined in the interim budget, she proposed some measures related to the tourism sector. "The Vishnupad temple at Gaya and the Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar are of immense spiritual significance.
Comprehensive development of the Vishnupad temple corridor and the Mahabodhi temple corridor will be supported, modelled on the successful Kashi Vishwanath temple corridor to transform them into world-class pilgrim and tourist destinations," she said. In her address, she also made announcements for the development of Rajgir and Nalanda in Bihar. "Rajgir holds .