Patna, Nov. 28: Very soon, a visit to Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) would be an experience of a lifetime.

It could well be possible that a tiger taking a stroll right next to you could give you a “wow feeling” rather than a shiver.

To make it happen, Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) has invited manufacturers to provide swanky caravan-type buses for visitors to witness the wild, the way it is, in the dense forest.

With facilities like bedrooms, sitting area and canopy tent, the tourists would get a feel-at-home experience in the air-conditioned buses.

In addition, tourists to Patna, Rajgir and Bodhgaya would be able to travel in minibuses with large glass windows for sightseeing. A 40-seater minibus would also be put to service for tourists travelling between Patna and Bodhgaya. The BSTDC has invited manufacturers to provide the respective buses. “The corporation has invited expression of interest for empanelment of bus manufacturers or bus body builder agencies to provide caravan-type AC buses, minibuses with large glass windows and minibuses for city tour, to ply for tourists in the state,” said Naveen Kumar, the deputy general manager of BSTDC.

He added: “We have also invited manufacturers to provide open-roof buses under the same scheme. The interested firms would submit their bids against the expression of interest till December 10. Thereafter, the actual procurement phase would start.”

Naveen, however, said: “The scheme is in a premature stage. Thus, it is not possible to comment on the commencement date of the buses service.” Regarding the facilities in the caravan buses, Naveen said: “The caravan-type AC buses would have two bedrooms, one sitting area for six persons, one folding canopy tent at the front and one toilet. The bus would also have several folding chairs and tables. A generator set would be attached to the bus. At present, the corporation is mulling to procure one bus for VTR.”

If the tourists at VTR get a home-on-wheel, then those in Patna, Rajgir and Bodhgaya would also see most of the cities while travelling in minibuses with large glass windows. “We have also invited firms for providing minibuses with large glass windows having 24 to 32 seats. The tourists in Patna, Bodhgaya and Rajgir would be taken for sightseeing in these buses. One bus each would be provided in the three cities,” said Naveen.

The BSTDC would also provide buses for taking tourists from the state capital to Bodhgaya. “Minibuses with 40 seats would be procured under the scheme,” said Naveen.

The corporation is making special arrangements to procure most of these buses. “We are in talks with leading bus manufacturers to provide the required model of buses, as the caravan or the large glass window-type minibuses are usually manufactured on demand. Moreover, plying of open roof-top buses do not seem feasible at present because of hurdles like (dangling) electric wires or maintenance issues,” said Naveen.