Patna: The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (BSTDC) has opened the technical bids for the Rs 24 crore project to modernise tourist facilities at the historic Sonepur Mela ground in Saran district. The selected agency will execute the project after the financial bidding process.The Bihar govt recently approved Rs 24 crore under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 to transform the fairground into a modern tourism hub with improved infrastructure.A BSTDC official said, “A pre-bid meeting was held at the office of the BSTDC chief engineer in Patna on June 18. The technical bid was opened on June 25. The BSTDC will review it and then the financial bid will be issued for selection of the development agency.”Officials said the project is expected to boost tourism, generate local employment and help curb outmigration.Held at the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak rivers, the Sonepur Mela is regarded as Asia’s largest cattle fair. The month-long Harihar Kshetra Mela begins every year on Kartik Purnima in Nov/Dec and attracts visitors for its religious, cultural and commercial significance.The project includes a grand entrance gate, wider roads, digital infrastructure, green energy installations, improved parking, sanitation, lighting and other visitor amenities to develop the seasonal fairground into a year-round tourist destination.
