Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay recently declared that the Centre and state would make contribution for developing the basic infrastructure to promote tourism in UP. The Mahakumbh which will be held in 2013 will be expecting seven crore tourists to participate. In regard to this, Subodh Kant Sahay met Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Among other key issues taken up by the Centre and state governments on Saturday, the Union minister laid emphasis on the need to develop the Sufi and Buddhist sectors in the state.

Sahay also said the Centre proposed to kick start the Clean India Campaign initiative in UP's Varanasi and Agra districts. The initiative, that was started by the ministry of tourism and the Archaeological Survey Of India in New Delhi this year, aims to protect heritage sites, provide clean drinking water, hygienic toilet facilities and maintenance of parking lots in order to attract more tourists. on Saturday to discuss ways to boost Uttar Pradesh' tourism potential.

It was also agreed upon that the Central government would okay and financially aid the Sufi Circuit Project, the development of Tajganj and roads around the Taj Mahal. The state has 33 Sufi sites and a scheme has been made to develop public utilities for tourists and pilgrims. These places have a pan-Indian and special attraction for foreign tourists.Plans are afoot to develop theme parks in the country to attract tourists and keep them at a destination for a longer duration, Sahay said.

Sahay also said that UP must focus on increasing foreign arrivals by at least one per cent and domestic tourists arrivals by 12% during the 12th Five Year Plan period. Last week, the ministry of tourism approved Rs 25 crore for the development of Mathura. It also agreed to release over Rs 5 crore for the beautification of ponds and ghats in Ayodhya.

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