Patna: Bihar’s tourism department has announced a series of new development plans aimed at attracting more visitors, even as its overall budget has been sharply reduced for the coming financial year. Under the central government’s Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, the historic Sonpur Mela site in Saran district is set to be upgraded, with a project proposal worth Rs 24.28 crore submitted to the Union Ministry of Tourism for administrative approval.
Another proposal, costing Rs 13.19 crore, has been sent to the central government to improve tourist facilities at the Ambika Bhavani Temple, one of the region’s key religious destinations. Officials say the projects are intended to strengthen pilgrimage and cultural tourism circuits in north Bihar.
However, the state’s tourism budget has seen a significant cut of Rs 438 crore compared with the previous financial year. The department’s allocation stood at Rs 1,103.91 crore in 2025–26, with a plan outlay of Rs 1,049 crore. For 2026–27, the plan outlay has been reduced to Rs 599 crore, with the total budget now pegged at Rs 665.71 crore.
Despite the reduction, the department says work is ongoing on 33 major projects, including Punauradham, the Mahabodhi Centre and Eco Park, and the Lake Front project. Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, a Buddhist meditation centre is also being built in Gaya at an estimated cost of Rs 165.44 crore, reinforcing the state’s focus on Buddhist tourism.
In addition, capital investment support from the central government is being used to develop Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa and the Karmchat Eco Centre. The state is also promoting luxury hospitality through public-private partnerships, with five five-star hotels planned across Bihar. Two hotels are under development in Rajgir, one in Vaishali, and two in Patna, including sites near the Income Tax Roundabout and close to the Bankipur bus stand at Gandhi Maidan.
