Tourism in Haryana is all set to get a big boost as the Union Ministry of Tourism has identified Kurukshetra region, under its Swadesh Darshan scheme, to develop a Krishna Circuit with theme and sites related to lord Krishna’s life events including Mahabharata.
The Union Ministry has also approved Rs 97.36 crore for the project ‘Development of Tourism Infrastructure at places related to Mahabharata in Kurukshetra’.
Haryana Tourism Minister, Ram Bilas Sharma on Thursday said the sites of specific tourist interest and importance had been covered in the Krishna Circuit, which included Jyotisar, Brahm Sarovar, Sannhit Sarovar and Bhishma Kund at Narkatari, after rigorous research and series of discussions with State tourism nodal agencies and regional competent agencies.
Describing Kurukshetra as a place of great historical and religious importance, he said that while recognizing its potential, the Central Government has aptly identified it for the ambitious project.
Recently, the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee for ‘Swadesh Darshan Scheme’ chaired by Union Secretary, Tourism approved Rs 97.36 crore for a project, which would bridge the infrastructure gaps across sites and circuit and boost the footfall and stay duration of tourists.
Haryana Principal Secretary, Tourism, Sumita Misra informed the project was conceptualised by the Haryana Department of Tourism and submitted to Government of India in 2015.
While referring to the historical importance of Kurukshetra as the sacred site of the Mahabharata and the birth place of Bhagwad Gita, she said the objective was to develop Kurukshetra region as an international tourist destination.
To achieve this aim, a number of new initiatives have been proposed under the Krishna Circuit. At Jyotisar, an animated state-of-the-art Theme Park has been proposed based on the Mahabharata war. Further bathing ghats with railings, Entrance Plaza with security system, landscaping and illumination of the tirth works will be undertaken. The total proposed investment is around Rs 31.08 crore as Central Financial Assistance and Rs 25 to 30 crore would be shared by Haryana Government.
At Brahm Sarovar, a thematic park is planned to come up near Abhimanyu Ghat and all open spaces will be landscaped to enhance the beauty and aesthetics of the Sarovar. A 50-metre high multimedia laser water show based on different facets of Bhagwad Gita and Mahabharata on the Sarovar and illumination of the Sarovar will be among the other added attractions. The proposed investment is around Rs 39.21 crore as Central Financial Assistance, said Sumita Misra.
To enhance tourist facilities at Sannhit Sarovar, a Cafeteria has been planned in the lotus Pond area. Tourist Facilitation Centre will also be set up for providing information about the destination and related activities.
Besids, to increase the popularity of Bhishma Kund at Narkatari, works related to reconstruction and redesigning of the boundary wall to maintain hygiene and privacy of tourists have been proposed. The death sequence portraying the grand old man of Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah, lying on his death bed of arrows will be depicted adjacent to Bhisham Kund. The proposed investment is around Rs 2.01 crore as Central Financial Assistance, said Misra.
She said that the city-wide infrastructure development would include Wi-Fi, CCTV based security system, installation of signages, sitting benches, setting up of Tourist Information Facilitation Centres, landscaping and illumination of parks, parking facilities, road works, boundary wall improvement, flooring improvement and reconstruction of gates for safety and comfort of tourists. The project will be implemented over the next two years, she added.