Friday, September 2 2005 12:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: In a bid to attract foreign and domestic tourists, Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) has proposed introduction of an air taxi service to important Buddhist shrines in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh (UP).

"Bihar has a huge and inadequately exploited potential for pilgrimage tourism. To attract tourists, both foreign and domestic, we have sent a proposal to the Centre for introduction of an air taxi service and we expect a positive response soon," BSTDC Managing Director, Anand Kishor, told PTI.

The proposed service, targeting up market tourists, would link Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Vaishali in Bihar and Sarnath, Varanasi and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

"We want to offer up market and quality service to our customers so that they can have a hassle-free visit to shrines on the Buddhist circuit as there are many people, particularly foreign tourists, who want to avoid a road journey given their poor condition in both Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh," Kishor said.

He said BSTDC had tied up with leading edge adventurers and resorts for the proposed service.

"We would like the UP Government to be a partner in this enterprise but in case they are unwilling we can have deals with private parties," Kishor said.