Patna: Bihar’s newly appointed tourism minister, Arun Shankar Prasad, has announced a sweeping infrastructure push, including the construction of five-star hotels in Patna, Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali, as part of efforts to elevate the state’s growing tourism sector.
Prasad assumed charge at the Tourism Department in the Chief Secretariat on Monday, where he was welcomed by Tourism Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh. Speaking after taking office, he said Bihar remained “renowned across the world for its cultural depth, spiritual heritage and sacred sites of multiple religions,” noting the importance of its Buddhist, Jain, Ramayana, Sufi and Eco tourism circuits.
Temple Corridors and Heritage Projects to Accelerate
Prasad confirmed that several major projects approved during the state’s Pragati Yatra—led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar—would now be fast-tracked. These include:
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The grand Janaki temple at Punauradham, Sitamarhi,
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The Sonpur Hariharkshetra Corridor,
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The Vishnupad Temple Corridor in Gaya,
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The Mahabodhi Corridor,
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And a new Bodhgaya Meditation Centre.
“My responsibility is to bring these iconic projects to completion swiftly,” the minister said, adding that developing luxury accommodation across key pilgrimage hubs would significantly enhance the visitor experience.
Bihar Targets Top-Five Rank as Tourist Footfall Surges
Challenging the perception that Bihar draws fewer travellers, Prasad presented striking visitor statistics. In 2024, the state received 6.60 crore domestic and foreign tourists. By September 2025, more than 5.10 crore visitors had already arrived.
“We are already among the top 10 states in the country for tourist numbers,” he said. “The goal now is to break into the top five within five years.”
He added that travellers were increasingly reporting “pleasant, comfortable experiences” at major sites, reflecting ongoing improvements in amenities.
Push to Make Tourism Employment-Oriented
Calling Bihar a state “rich in untapped tourism strength”, Prasad emphasised that expanding hospitality and upgrading infrastructure would create large-scale employment. The government, he said, was prioritising basic facilities, cleanliness, connectivity and management at all major destinations.
He also highlighted the state’s investment-friendly tourism policy, which offers “attractive subsidies” to private players developing hotels and travel infrastructure.
“The Tourism Department will continue working to ensure that visitors enjoy the best possible facilities, support and memorable experiences across Bihar,” he said.
