Patna: State tourism minister Kedar Prasad Gupta on Wednesday said tourist arrivals in the state have risen steadily, recording a significant increase over the past five years. The minister said the state now ranks ninth in the country in foreign tourist arrivals, reflecting growing interest in the state’s Buddhist, Jain, Hindu and heritage circuits.Addressing a news conference in Patna, Gupta said 59,52,604 tourists visited Bihar in 2020, comprising 56,44,524 domestic visitors and 3,08,080 foreign tourists. In 2025, the figure climbed to 6,62,12,415, including 6,54,68,527 domestic tourists and 7,43,888 foreign visitors. During the current year, arrivals up to May have reached 3,42,34,761, with 3,36,84,213 domestic tourists and 5,50,548 foreign tourists.Gupta said construction of the Maa Janki Temple at Punauradham near Sitamarhi would be completed within the stipulated three-year period. He added that a master plan for developing the Vishnupad Corridor and the Mahabodhi (Gaya)-Rajgir-Nalanda Corridor has been prepared and sent to the Union govt. These projects fall under the Centre’s Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme and are being developed at the central level.He said former chief minister Nitish Kumar, during his Pragati Yatra, had announced 36 tourism-related schemes, mainly focused on infrastructure development. These schemes are being finalised under the guidance of CM Samrat Choudhary. Gupta said the creation of tourism infrastructure would transform Bihar’s tourism landscape and establish the state as an attractive, safe and prosperous destination.For the 2025-26 financial year, approval has been granted for projects worth Rs 1,301 crore under the state plan head. He said the initiatives are expected to strengthen amenities and visitor management at key destinations.
