Sitamarhi: The process of acquiring 50 acres of land around the Punauradham temple in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district has commenced, with plans to develop tourist facilities and infrastructure. The move comes after the State Cabinet of Ministers granted in-principle approval for the acquisition. The Bihar Tourism Department, in collaboration with the Sitamarhi District Administration, is now working to secure the land.
On Monday, Tourism Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh, along with Director of Tourism Vinay Kumar Rai, Managing Director of Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation Nand Kishore, and Sitamarhi District Magistrate Richie Pandey, conducted a site inspection. The officials identified and marked the land for acquisition, instructing the District Land Acquisition Officer to initiate the necessary procedures.
Punauradham, considered the birthplace of Janaki (Sita), is a significant destination for devotees and tourists following the Ramayana Circuit, which includes Ayodhya. To support the growing number of visitors, a high-quality national highway is being constructed to link Ayodhya with Punauradham. With improved roads and transport under the Ramayana Circuit, the area is expected to witness a surge in tourism.
Recognising the need for enhanced facilities, the state cabinet approved the acquisition of land in March to expand the infrastructure around the temple. The Tourism Department has also greenlit a Rs. 72.47 crore development plan for Punauradham. The scheme includes the creation of a Parikrama path, Sita Vatika, Luv-Kush Vatika, a Janaki Mahotsav area, architecturally designed walls, parking facilities, and other amenities for tourists.
