Gaya: Plan for the Rs 190-crore Spiritual Awakening Corridor in Bodh Gaya gained momentum on Thursday after stakeholders held a four-hour discussion on its design, features and impact, at the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) conference hall. The corridor is envisioned on the lines of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi.District officials, public representatives, BTMC members, hoteliers, guides and other stakeholders reviewed a presentation proposing relocation of around 60 households, construction of a 180-shop Birla Market, parking space for vehicles, a cycle track, food court and other public amenities. Participants assured full cooperation to the administration.Gaya DM Shashank Shubhankar, who presided over the meeting, said the project would enhance the Buddhist corridor’s ambience from Gaya Airport to the Mahabodhi Temple and address issues related to vending, parking, riverfront development and local concerns.The corridor aims to blend spirituality with livelihood opportunities. Along with the proposed market and parking space, it includes kiosks for aromatherapy, an interpretation centre, shaded seating zones, relocation of the cloakroom, and a 1.5-metre-wide cycle track for better connectivity across the holy city. A food court, drinking water points and clean toilets are also planned.Briefing media persons after the meeting, the DM said the corridor would be developed in a manner that ensures the spiritual ambience and the city’s Buddhist identity are evident throughout the stretch from Gaya Airport to the Mahabodhi Temple.“Proper parking arrangements and disciplined vending would be crucial components of the initiative. The ghats of the Niranjana river will also be upgraded so that Chhath devotees benefit. All aspects of public convenience will be duly taken into account,” he said.Welcoming the initiative, Jai Singh, president of the Bodh Gaya Hotel Association, said unnecessary displacement must be avoided. He demanded an underground market and parking facility, widening of approach roads for smoother traffic, and development of dedicated roads for heavy vehicles on both sides of the Niranjana river.
