Central Government sanctions Rs 361.97 crores for five Buddhist Circuit projects

The central government has sanctioned Rs 361.97 crore for five projects Buddhist Circuit programme of the Uninon Ministry, which connects the heritage sites with significance of Buddhism across the country.

It was informed by the Union Tourism Minister, KJ Alphons in the Lok Sabha. The Ministry of Tourism has identified Buddhist Circuit as one of the fifteen thematic circuits for development under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

The Buddhist Circuit projects are in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, connecting the Buddhist centers in each states.

Development of Buddhist Circuit in Sanchi-Satna-Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar, Madhya Pradesh will be implemented with cost of Rs 74.9 crore. In Uttar Pradesh Rs 99.97 crore will be spent to the development of Buddhist Circuit in Srawasti, Kushinagar, & Kapilvastu.

Sanchi Stupa in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh

Bihar will have Rs 98.73 crore for the construction of Convention Centre adjacent to Maya Sarovar on the western side at Bodhgaya. In Guarat, development of Buddhist circuit in Junagadh- Gir-Somnath- Bharuch-Kutch- Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana will be carried out with Rs 35.99 crore. Finally, in Andhra Pradesh development of Buddhist Circuit in Shalihundam- Thotlakonda- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda- Amravati-Anupu will be implemented with Rs 52.34 crores.

Swadesh Darshan Scheme is a Central sector scheme, fully funded by Government of India. Development of Craft Haat, Exhibition Gallery and Souvenir Shops are among the admissible components under the scheme.