New Delhi : Sanjay Jha, chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture and Janata Dal (United) leader, stated on Monday that the committee’s visit to Bihar would prioritise enhancing air and road connectivity, preserving the state’s cultural heritage, and developing tourism infrastructure.
During the committee’s three-day visit, discussions will include the expansion of airports and air connectivity, such as the international greenfield airport announced in the Union Budget, as well as national highway and road projects within Bihar.
“There will be a complete discussion related to aviation. There will be a discussion on NH and road-related projects in Bihar, like Patna-Purnia, Gorakhpur-Siliguri and other projects like NH-27, which are not in good condition,” Jha told ANI.
The committee will also address Bihar’s art and cultural heritage, including maintenance of museums, the Khuda Bakhsh Library, and historical sites managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
“There will be a discussion on culture. We are going to the Bihar Museum and Khuda Bakhsh Library. There are many historical sites of ASI which are not well maintained, like Kumrahar. There will be a discussion on that,” he said.
The committee is scheduled to travel to Gaya on Monday evening, where a meeting focused on tourism will take place on Tuesday. Discussions will encompass development at key tourist destinations, including Bodh Gaya and Rajgir, along with projects announced in the Union Budget.
“Tourism is a very big sector for Bihar. We believe that if tourism succeeds, it becomes a very big sector for employment,” Jha added.
The committee will submit its recommendations to Parliament, after which the relevant departments will proceed with action.
“When a committee comes, all the officers stay. So there is a detailed discussion. And then the timeline of other things is decided. The committee’s report is submitted to Parliament. And then the department follows it up on the basis of this report,” he explained.
Jha emphasised that the committee’s visit was crucial for reviewing centrally funded projects and advancing the development of transport connectivity, tourism, and culture in Bihar.
The committee will also visit the Bihar Museum in Patna and conduct on-site inspections at Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, and Nalanda.
