ApnaBundelkhand.com, New Delhi: The Centre has sanctioned Rs 13 crore to the Bundelkhand region for the development of its tourist spots. In the first phase, areas like Chitrakoot, Jhansi, Banda, Hamirpur, Mahoba and Jalaun districts will be taken up for the project.

Recently, Uttar Pradesh Tourism Director General Avnish Kumar Awasthi has written to the divisional commissioners of Jhansi and Chitrakoot and other district magistrates asking for proposals in regard to the areas to be developed. The Centre has sanctioned Rs 5 crore under the Bundelkhand Destination Development Programme and Rs 8 crore under the Circuit Development Programme.

Under the programmes, besides providing a source of livelihood to the locals, these areas of religious and historical importance would be developed and maintained to attract tourists. The government would also construct shops, inquiry offices, railway reservation centres, fun parks and approach roads near these spots to facilitate tourism.

The tentative list of the areas to be developed include Ramghat, Kamadgiri, Maharishi Balmiki Ashram, Veergarh, Rauli Goda, Bharat Koop, Rasin Fort, Vilharia Mutt, Lakshman Pahari in Chitrakoot areas, fort of Kalinger, Neelkanth temple in Kalinger, Vijay Sagar lake and Shiv Tandav temple in Mahoba and fort in Jhansi.

Regional Tourist Officer Amit Srivastava said, "There is very good scope for the promotion of tourism in Bundelkhand. Tourists who visit Allahabad or Varanasi want to visit Chitrakoot, Banda, Jhansi and Kalinger as well. Other places would be developed in the second phase.” According to sources in the Tourism department, work on the development of these areas would begin soon. "Tenders inviting companies have been floated,” said Srivastava.