CM lays stone for 1,080-bed dharamshala for pilgrims

GAYA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday inaugurated and laid foundation for projects worth more than Rs 137 crore in the twin towns of Gaya and Bodh Gaya.
The CM laid foundation stone for a 1,080-bed Dharamshala, arguably the largest such facility in the country, for Pitripaksh pilgrims at Gaya town. It will be built on a 4.38-acre-plot at an expenditure of more than Rs 120 crore.
Nitish inaugurated the buildings of Bihar Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (BIPARD) and Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC).While the BIPARD building has come up along Gaya-Dobhi road, the BTMC's new building has been constructed near the Mahabodhi Mahavihara at Bodh Gaya. Nitish also inaugurated Maa Sita Path near Vishnupad temple.
The CM also unveiled the statue of 'mountain man' Dashrath Manjhi on the BIPARD campus. While Rs 10 crore was spent to construct the BTMC building, Sita Path was built with an expenditure of over Rs 6 crore.
An underground drainage system has been made below 560-metre-long Sita Path to stop flow of drain water in Falgu and the Gaya Ji dam.
The CM, who reviewed preparations for the Pitripaksh Mela beginning from September 28, asked the director general of police, R S Bhatti, to deploy sufficient number of police personnel in the town. "Pilgrims should get all facilities. Ensure cleanliness of ghats, temples, vedis, ponds and the whole town. Take special care for the safety and security of the pilgrims. More than three crore people visited the Malmas Mela organized at Rajgir. Large number of pilgrims are expected to arrive at Gaya too," he told the officials.
Earlier, after unveiling the Maa Sita Path, the CM told media persons, "The pilgrims will find it easier to reach Sita Kund. We are continuously making efforts to provide modern facilities to the pilgrims."
After performing puja at Vishnupad temple, the CM offered prayers at Mahabodhi Mahavihara.
The CM was accompanied by his deputy Tejashwi Prasad Yadav as well as ministers Sanjay Jha, Vijay Chaudhary, Surendra Prasad Yadav and Kumar Sarvajeet.
Gaya town BJP MLA Prem Kumar handed over a memorandum containing 17-point charter of demands to the CM. The demands include increase in frequency of domestic flights from Gaya airport, widening of roads, construction of a flyover from Kirani Ghat to Ramshila Mor to ease traffic and installation of CCTV cameras on all major roads in the Mela area.