Floating hotel on Ganga in Patna

The hotel which would be in the shape of a ship would have the facility for overnight stay of tourists, he revealed. Referring to the increase in number of tourists to Bihar, he said the influx of foreign tourists in Bihar which was at 63,321 in 2005 had significantly increased to 5.27 lakh in 2011.

Similarly, the number of domestic tourists which was 66 lakh in Bihar in 2005 had risen to 1.27 crore in 2011, he said and added that his department would make efforts to showcase the state`s history, culture and pride during the forthcoming Rajgir Mahotsava in Rajgir this month to further attract tourists. To promote eco tourism in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had himself taken a tonga ride in Rajgir recently and now Ghorakatora in Rajgir had been further developed and the foundation stone for which would be laid by Kumar on December 27.

"We are making all sincere efforts to make Bihar number one on tourism map of the country", he said. He said a floating restaurant was already operative in River Ganga now and Ganga Arti was becoming popular and a centre of attraction. Pintoo said efforts were on to develop all Buddhist, Ramayan, Sufi, Jain and Sikh circuits in Bihar for attracting more and more foreign and domestic tourists.