Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday reviewed the concept plan for development of places related to Lord Rama’s exile (Rama Van Gaman Path) and instructed the concerned officials to speed up the development and beautification works at places earmarked for them.
The Chief Minister also instructed to maintain a uniformity in the beautification work of the places and to develop them in such a way that new avenues of employment is generated for the local youth by promoting tourism there.
Specially mentioning historical site Sirpur, the CM said this place of Buddhist importance could well be developed as an international tourism destination.
Notably, it is believed that Lord Rama spent 10 out of 14 years’ of his exile in Chhattisgarh, which was then known as ‘Dakshin Kaushal’ and ‘Dandakaranya’.
The state government had earmarked a total of 51 places in the entire route of exile for developing as tourism spots.
Among the 51 places being earmarked, eight places of ‘Rama Van Gaman Path’ from Surguja to Bastar would be developed as tourist spot in first phase.
These eight places comprise Sitamadhi-Harchowka (Koria), Ramgarh (Surguja), Sheorinarayan (Janjgir-Champa), Turturia (Balodabazar-Bhatapara), Chandrakhuri (Raipur), Rajim (Gariaband), Sihava (Dhamtari) and Jagdalpur (Bastar)
It was also instructed in the meeting to facilitate the places with better connectivity and electrification with other amenities required for a tourist place.
The development of these earmarked tourist spots was started recently from Chandrakhuri of Raipur where the beautification work of the temple of Kaushalya, the mother of lord Rama was taken up.