Rs 300 cr for developing Ramayan, Krishna, Buddhist circuits

With an aim to boost tourism in Uttar Pradesh, the Centre has approved projects worth over Rs 300 crore for developing Ramayana, Krishna and Buddhist circuits in the state.
The massive investment aimed at encouraging tourism in a big way comes under the Swadesh Darshan Yojna, Secretary, Union Tourism Ministry Vinod Zutshi said here today.
He said Rs 100 crore worth of projects have been sanctioned for each of these circuits which see a heavy flow of both domestic and foreign tourists.
Under the Ramayana circuit, destinations like Ayodhya, Chitrakoot and Sringverpur in Uttar Pradesh will be developed and if required more funds will be provided, Zutshi said.

Similarly under the Krishna circuit in the land of Lord Krishna, several religious sites related to him from Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan and Nandgaon will be developed to give better facilities and add more attractions, he said.
"India is also land of Buddha and tourists from countries like Japan and Sri Lanka have a major share among foreign tourists to region," Zutshi said, adding destinations like Sarnath, Shrawasti, Kapilvastu and Kushinagar will be taken up. The airstrip in Kushinagar will also be made functional.

For attracting more tourists on the Buddhist circuit, the Centre also plans to hold a conclave on October 7 in which monks from ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries have been invited.

Zutshi clarified that the works to be undertaken under these circuits have been proposed by the state government and will be run with its assistance.
Speaking on the occasion, principal secretary, Uttar Pradesh tourism department, Navneet Sehgal said state government is making all out efforts to develop tourism sector for which an air service will soon be started. Besides, food festivals would be organised to promote Avadhi cuisine.