East Champaran: East Champaran district in Bihar will soon add another name to its list of tourist destinations. The government has started the process of developing the historic Horse Race Pond, located in Padumker Panchayat, into a modern tourist attraction. The Tourism Department has approved Rs 13.54 crore for the project and released the first installment of Rs 3 crore for the financial year 2025–26. This will be used to create new facilities like walking tracks, guest houses, parks, markets, a banquet hall, and a water sports restaurant to attract visitors.
The Horse Race Pond, also known locally as Ghordodar Pond, has great historical importance. It was once a famous local site but had been neglected for many years. The Water Resources Department had earlier approved Rs 10 crore for cleaning, deepening, and constructing walking tracks around it. With this latest funding, the total government investment now stands at Rs 24 crore. Reports suggest that another Rs 25 crore will soon be approved, bringing the total cost of the project to about Rs 50 crore. The plan is to develop it as a world-class tourist destination with modern amenities like motorboat rides, selfie points, and recreational parks.
This development began after Prakash Singh, the grandson of former Bihar minister Rajendra Pratap Singh, wrote to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, highlighting the pond’s historical and cultural value. The Chief Minister then directed the Tourism and Water Resources Departments to inspect the area. After their inspection, East Champaran District Magistrate Saurabh Jorwal also visited the pond site. Taking note of the reports, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar officially announced during his Pragati Yatra on December 24 last year that the pond would be restored and developed as a tourist destination. Following this, the Water Resources Department issued tenders for the renovation work.
Local residents are delighted with the government’s initiative. They believe that this long-neglected site will now become a symbol of pride for their area. According to villagers, the development will not only attract tourists but also generate local employment. With activities such as running hotels, boating services, markets, and maintaining parks, the youth of the region will find many new job opportunities. Panchayat head Nidhi Kumari said the pond is a heritage site and that its renovation will benefit the entire community. She added that once the project is complete, it will draw tourists not only from Bihar but also from nearby regions like Shivhar, Sitamarhi, and even Nepal.
