Union Budget 2024: Temples Find Rare Mention, Bihar's Nalanda To Be Developed As Tourist Centre

The Finance Minister said that the government will support development of Bihar's Nalanda as tourist centre, adding that Odisha will also get assistance for development in the tourism sector.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 23 July 2024 12:52 pm

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Union Budget 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha, in New Delhi, Tuesday, July 23, 2024 Photo: PTI

In a first, temples found mention in the Union Budget as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government has proposed to support the development of corridors at Vishnupad and Mahabodhi Temples in Bihar's Gaya in line with Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi.

The Finance Minister also said that the government will support development of Bihar's Nalanda as tourist centre, adding that Odisha will also get assistance for development in the tourism sector.

ALSO READ | Budget 2024: Sitharaman Announces Big Plans For Andhra Pradesh, Bihar

"Odisha's scenic beauty, temples, monuments, craftsmanship, wildlife sanctuaries, natural landscapes and pristine beaches make it an ultimate tourism destination. Our government will provide assistance for their development to Odisha as well," Nirmala Sitharaman said.

"Vishnupad Temple Corridor and Mahabodhi Temple corridor to be transformed into world class pilgrim & tourist destinations Rajgir [Bihar] to be comprehensively developed Nalanda to be developed as a tourist centre; Nalanda University to be revived to its glorious stature," the Finance Minister said while presenting the Union Budget on Tuesday. Track Parliament News LIVE Updates

Union Budget 2024-25 proposes:

??Vishnupad Temple Corridor & Mahabodhi Temple corridor to be transformed into world class pilgrim & #tourist destinations

??Rajgir to be comprehensively developed

??Nalanda to be developed as a tourist centre; Nalanda University to be revived… pic.twitter.com/slu07Vs5AX
— Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) July 23, 2024

"Rajgir holds immense religious significance for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. The 20th Tirthankara Munisuvrat temple in the Jain temple complex is ancient. The Saptarishi or the seven hot springs form a warm water Brahm Kund that is sacred. A comprehensive development initiative for Rajgir will be undertaken," Sitharaman said.

"Our government will support the development of Nalanda as a tourist centre, besides reviving Nalanda university to its glorious stature," she added.

Bihar was among the focus areas in Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget speech as more plans were announced for the state, including new airports, medical colleges, roads and sports infrastructure development.

For Bihar, Sitharaman said: "...Power projects including setting up of a new 2400 MW power plant at Pirpainti will be taken up at the cost of Rs 21,400 crores. New airports, medical colleges and sports infrastructure in Bihar will be constructed. The requests of Bihar government for external assistance from multilateral development banks will be expedited."

Government is proposing Rs 26,000 crore for various road projects in Bihar, said the Finance Minister.

The government has proposed Rs 26,000 crore for various road projects in Bihar, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha while presenting the Union Budget 2024.

Government will provide Rs 11,500 crore to Bihar for flood mitigation, Nirmala Sitharaman said.