The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide loan assistance to India for the Uttar Pradesh Buddhist Circuit Development Project.
Announcing this at the Economic Editors’ Conference held in New Delhi last month, Ms. Kumari Selja, Minister for Tourism, Government of India said that the Government of India has entered into a loan agreement with JICA for loan assistance to the tune of 9495 million Japanese yen (approximately Rs. 395.63 crore) for the UP Buddhist Circuit Development Project
The project includes development of Buddhist centres situated at Sarnath, Kushi Nagar, Kapilavastu, Sravasti and Sankisa. This project inter-alia includes improvement of nearly 74 km of road component, storm water drainage system at Kushinagar and Sravasti, enhancing site attractions enhancement and signage systems in the archaeological sites. Community participation and tourism promotion programmes are also part of the project. The Ministry of Tourism will organise an international meet with all trade and media representatives in Nalanda, Bihar in February 2010, to showcase India’s Buddhist heritage.
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