Bihar residents will now get financial assistance from the government for visiting Ladakh! The state’s cabinet has approved the ‘Sindhu Darshan Pilgrimage Financial Assistance Grant Scheme’. Under this, a grant of up to Rs 20,000 will be provided to Bihar residents visiting Ladakh.
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A cabinet meeting held in Bihar on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, has approved the new Sindhu Darshan grant. Under it, eligible pilgrims would get up to Rs 20,000 or half of the total expenses, whichever is lower, to travel to Ladakh.
In Bihar, travelling to Ladakh is considered expensive. Financial constraints have historically been stopping many from getting access to the valley. This grant intends to address the same. It will act as an enabler for a wider section of the population, to experience the cultural and historical significance of the Indus valley.
The government has set clear terms, conditions and guidelines for the Sindhu Darshan Pilgrimage grant scheme. Below are the important ones.
- The person should travel to Ladakh first and then apply for the grant. This makes it more of a reimbursement. If approved, he/she will get half of the total expenses of the journey or Rs 20,000, whichever is lower.
- The applicant should be a resident of Bihar. This is a state-level program valid only for its residents. The proposal of this scheme was originally prepared by the Bihar Tourism Department.
- Next, for a person to be eligible for this grant, he/she must be an adult- of 18 years of age or above. Minors will not qualify.
- Finally, the government has put an annual limit on the grant scheme. In the initial phase, the beneficiary count has been capped at 100 pilgrims annually.
We expect the Bihar Tourism Department to release further operational details, specifics of the application procedure and required documents, in the due course.
Most of us know Ladakh as a tourist destination and a rider’s/driver’s paradise. It has plenty of breathtaking views and weather that would impress most people. This place isn’t however, just about views and holidays.
Ladakh has immense cultural significance as well. It is the guardian to the Indus (Sindhu) river, which is considered a foundational pillar in India’s cultural heritage. The Indus flows out of Tibet into Ladakh. The Sindhu Darshan festival is celebrated every year at the Sindhu Ghat in Shey, near Leh, to honour the river. Clearly, Ladakh has a strong presence in India’s pilgrimage maps. It, in a way, bridges the Indian and Tibetan cultures.
Visits to Ladakh have been climbing steadily in the past few years. The road infrastructure there has also been developing fast. Visiting the valley these days isn’t as challenging as it used to be once.
Alongside the pilgrimage subsidy, the Bihar Cabinet has also approved several measures to boost tourism within the state. New heli-tourism and air-tourism services have been announced.
Helicopter services will connect the state capital Patna with Rajgir, Kaimur, and Valmikinagar. The fares for these have been fixed at Rs. 4,000, Rs. 6,000, and Rs. 5,000 respectively. Prices mentioned are for a single traveller.
In addition, helicopter joy rides will be introduced in Patna. A 10-minute flight will be priced at Rs. 2,100 per person.
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