Government’s Vision for Vishnupad and Mahabodhi Temple Corridors
New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Union Budget 2024-25 speech, announced comprehensive development plans for the Vishnupad Temple corridor at Gaya and the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar. The initiative aims to transform these sacred sites into world-class pilgrim and tourist destinations, modeled on the successful Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor. The Vishnupad Temple, located next to the Falgu River, and the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hold immense spiritual significance.
Sitharaman emphasized the importance of tourism in India’s civilization, highlighting its potential to create jobs, stimulate investments, and unlock economic opportunities across sectors. The development of Rajgir and Nalanda in Bihar was also announced, with Rajgir being significant for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, and home to the ancient Munisuvrat temple and the sacred Saptarishi hot springs. Nalanda, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, will see efforts to revive its ancient university to its former glory.
Additionally, the government will assist in developing Odisha’s rich tourism assets, including its scenic beauty, temples, monuments, wildlife sanctuaries, and beaches. These announcements coincide with the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The finance minister also outlined the “Purvodaya” plan for the all-round development of eastern India, encompassing Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. This initiative will focus on human resource development, infrastructure, and economic opportunities to make the region a growth engine for a “Viksit Bharat”.
Furthermore, the development of an industrial node at Gaya as part of the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor will catalyze industrial growth in the eastern region. This model aims to blend cultural heritage with economic development, embodying the vision of “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi”. Sitharaman concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to a roadmap for a developed India, focusing on nine priorities: productivity and resilience in agriculture, employment and skilling, inclusive human resource development, manufacturing and services, urban development, energy security, infrastructure, innovation, and next-generation reforms.
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