With a focus on key tourist destinations, pilgrimages, and civil aviation facilities, the state government has allocated Rs 2,098 crore in the 2024-25 Budget. The allocation is set to cover the development of several iconic religious sites in the state.
A total of Rs 238 crore has been allocated for Pavagadh, one of the key pilgrim destinations in the state, to develop facilities at Manchi Chowk, Champaner, and Vada Lake. An amount of Rs 117 crore has been allocated for the master planning of Ambaji Yatradham, which is already in progress.
In Mehsana, Rs 71 crore has been earmarked for reconstruction and comprehensive development of Shri Bahucharaji Shaktipeeth development. For the development of Dharoi Dam Parikshetra as ‘a world-level site of tourism and pilgrimage’, a budget of Rs 100 crore has been allocated.
The 2024-25 Budget also mentions an allocation of Rs 10 crore to develop a Gujarat Yatri Niwas in Ayodhya. Last month, the temple town witnessed a mega consecration of Ram Mandir, which has already attracted lakhs of tourists since its opening.
In Saurashtra and Kutch, various facilities are set to be developed for a cost of Rs 46 crore.
Meanwhile, a budget of Rs 35 crore has been allocated for the development of various memorials and forts in the state The allocation has been made after considering a record increase in tourist footfall after the renovation of Uparkot Fort in Junagadh.
The government is also planning to develop State Coastal Seema Darshan at a total cost of Rs 145 crore. An amount of Rs 40 crore has been allocated in the current budget. The initiative has been taken following the success of the Nadabet Seema Darshan Project in the Banaskantha.
Of the total Rs 200 crore allocated for the development of beaches, Rs 30 crore has been marked for beaches like Somnath, Pingleshwar, Asarma, and Mool-Dwarka.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
First uploaded on: 03-02-2024 at 02:20 IST
