Patna: The ministry of tourism has sanctioned Rs 53.49 crore to turn Mandar hill in Banka district into a major tourist attraction. It has several beautiful spots and is also important from the religious point of view for Hindus and Jains.

The project has been sanctioned under the spiritual circuit theme of the ministry's Swadesh Darshan scheme.

Of the total sanctioned funds, Rs 10.69 crore has been provided to the state as advance for starting the work, which the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation has to execute.

The project has many components dealing with the development of important places in and around the Mandar hill for its overall beautification.

Two waterbodies - Papharni Lake and Akash Ganga - which are located at the hilltop will be beautified and amenities will be added there for convenience of tourists.

Landscaping will be carried out at Papharni lake and a thematic park will be set up. An interpretation centre and rain shelter along with toilet will be developed. Some small culverts too will be developed at various places in the lake, where several visitors take holy dip. LED lights will be used to illuminate the lake.

Benches will be set up around Akash Ganga and lights will be installed. Even a toilet block will be built for tourists' convenience.

The Mandar hilltop will be illuminated using solar lights, while rain shelter and benches will help tourists enjoy in the lap of the nature. Drinking water facility and toilet block will be among other amenities under the project.

The surroundings of Avantika Nath Temple, Kamdhenu temple, Madhusudan temple and Chandrika Sthan will get facelift after implementation of the project.

"Our officials will soon meet the Banka district magistrate to identify the land on which this project has to be implemented. After this, tenders will be floated to select the agency to execute the project," an official of Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation told The Telegraph.

The state government is supposed to make land available for the project free of cost. He said after finalisation of the tendering process, it will take another 18 months to complete the work.