Patna: Plans are afoot to make the area around Mahabodhi Temple a pollution-free zone.
Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) is planning to make the area around the temple a vehicle-free zone where only battery-operated vehicles would run within a radius of one kilometre of the temple.
BSTDC had recently invited operators to run battery-operated vehicles around the Buddhist temple, which is a world heritage site.
A source in the corporation said the objective of the move is to ensure a pollution-free environment. The source said the corporation would soon ban all gas, petrol and diesel-operated vehicles within a kilometre radius of the Mahabodhi temple.
“We have marked two routes along the main road from Rajgir and Patna. All the motor vehicles would be par-ked at the stands provided at these routes. The battery-operated vehicles would start from here and take the tourists to the hotel, monastery, museum and the Mahabodhi Temple. Initially, arou-nd 15 battery-operated vehicles with a capacity to accommodate 10 to 12 passengers would run in the area,†said the source.
According to the terms and conditions of the agreement between the operator and the corporation, the tariff for these vehicles would be fixed by the corporation and it would charge a fixed monthly rent of around Rs 1,000 per vehicle from the operator.
The tourism corporation, on the other hand, would provide a night stand, parking space and battery charging facilities to the operator. Besides shops and restaurants, other amenities would also be made available at various points to facilitate visitors.
Former secretary of Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee Kalicharan Singh Yadav said it was a welcome step to introduce vehicles running on battery mode instead of petrol and diesel around the Mahabodhi Mahavihara. It will protect the ancient structure from pollution.
However, Yadav said the practical aspects like convenience of the people of the area as well as the tourists will also have to be considered.