TOURISM IN BIHAR: SUGGESTIONS

Tourism has the potentials to change the economic fate of Bihar. It has many very important religious sites of all religions, but for Hindus, Buddhists,Jains and Sikhs there is no escape. from Gaya to Bodh Gaya to Rajgir to Vaishali to Nalanda to Pawapuri to Patna Sahib it has all. the state needs to organise tourism to rake in biggest dollar intake, certainly bigger than the golden triangle of Delhi-Agra- Jaipur. It is an accepted fact that religious tourism ensures organised and greater flow of tourists. This has been the experience world over. the Bihar government is doing some thing but it has very huge task of over all economic regeneration before it self and naturally Tourism has not got the due it deserves.
The government must realise that tourism is a low investment, zero-gestation and high return industry. the main problem was bad reputation it had for law and order situation and that has improved dramatically. Now one can easily say that is is safer to be in Bihar than in Mumbai or Delhi. Kidnappings have completely stopped, police is active and criminals are on the run. At various tourist places like Nalanda and Rajgir I saw posse of police force to inspire confidence and have had no unpleasant experience.
The second requirement for tourism is infrastructure. Now that is complex as that would mean almost everything that would mean easy and comfortable stay. From Roads to quality buses and cars to easy long distance connectivity to more international standards rooms and food and of course better power situation. All this can be done by government and that can benefit the local population too.
But then this requires political will and fine expert planning and caring execution. It just cant be done by an IAS or any other government babu. It has to be done by a professional Bihar should hire them at all costs and then take two steps: constitute a Tourism Development Authority with enough teeth and financial powers. It should not be another government corporation but may be given on PPP model. Secondly, the Bihar government should appoint a TRAI style regulator to hear cases against agencies/individuals and make rules for all stake holders to follow. It can also compel Banks to offer loans to investors in tourism sector who can be offered a ten year tax holiday for Tourism projects.
Tourism can give employment to lakhs of people directly and indirectly, bring investments and turn Bihar on global map. But all that can be done with lots of political courage and vision and guts to dream.