Centre sanctions Rs60 cr for AP Buddhist circuit

Amaravati: Centre released Rs 60 crore for AP Tourism and Culture department for the development of Buddhist circuit under Swadesh Darshan scheme.

Union tourism and cultural ministry conducted a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Monday in which secretary for tourism and culture Mukesh Kumar Meena and APTDC managing director Himanshu Shukla were present.

The state officials made a power point presentation on Buddhist monasteries in the state. They said that the state government aims to preserve the landmarks of Buddhism, for which it prepared action plan.

According to MK Meena, they have presented an action plan on the development of Buddhist circuit by developing five areas in the state. “Under Swadesh Darshan scheme the state government will develop five places including Amaravati, where the government will construct tourism amenities centre, parking slots, Dhyana Buddha vanam (meditation halls) and more,” he added.

The other places of Buddhist circuit include, Thottlakonda, Bavikonda, Shalihundam, Bojjanakonda- Lingalakonda, Anupu, where the development and preservation of monasteries will be taken up.

Expressing concern over the dire conditions of Buddhist monasteries, he said that it was our responsibility to preserving these ancient monuments for future generations. “The tourism department is taking utmost care on the new constructions and we are ensuring that these constructions should replicate the original Buddhist structures,” Meena informed. He asserted that the government would give ample publicity to the Buddhist circuit.