Patna: The Bihar government has approved a major tourism initiative to construct a Buddhist Meditation and Experience Centre in Bodh Gaya, with a sanctioned budget of Rs165.44 crore. The project is part of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0, spearheaded by the Union Ministry of Tourism.
According to the official press statement from the Bihar Tourism Department, administrative approval for the project was granted on May 22 following technical clearance by the Chief Engineer of the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) on April 2. BSTDC has also been appointed the executive agency responsible for implementing the scheme.
The plan aligns with the 2024–25 Union Budget announcement by the central government, which identified the holistic development of Gayaji and Bodh Gaya as a key focus area. A comprehensive project report was submitted and subsequently approved by the Ministry of Tourism.
Udayan Mishra, Special Secretary and Tourism Director of Bihar, highlighted Bodh Gaya’s global significance as a pilgrimage site and its growing popularity among tourists. “The new centre will offer world-class facilities to visitors and is expected to boost tourist numbers, generate revenue for the government, and create employment and business opportunities for the local community,” Mishra said.
The state cabinet cleared the proposal on May 16, paving the way for the centre’s construction to commence under full central funding.
