The tourism department is going hi-tech to promote the hot spots of Bihar by New Year.

Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation, which is planning the extravaganza, has decided to start working around the capital’s Gandhi Maidan. Plans are afoot to illuminate Udyog Bhavan on the east of the maidan and Biscomaun Bhavan on the west with LED-based dynamic lights.

The strategically located buildings around Gandhi Maidan will also have LED information screens installed on their facades. The large screens would be used for displaying information on tourist spots like Golghar and Mahabodhi Mahavihara.

Sources said the LED information screens on each of the buildings would measure approximately 10sqm and would be installed at vantage points so that they could be seen from various angles.

The tourism corporation is in the process of selecting agencies, which would undertake the two projects and highlight the architectural features of the buildings in the evening.

Pushpam Priya Chaudhary, creative head, Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation, said: “Biscomaun Bhavan and Udyog Bhavan are both strategically located around the Gandhi Maidan, which is surrounded by commercial offices. The LED display boards, or LED screens, would be a visually rich experience for the people.”

She added: “Apart from being the centre of attraction in the evening, the LED screens would be developed in such a way that they would be visible during the day too. The screens would be installed at a suitable location on the walls of the buildings so that they can be seen from all angles.”

The firm selected for installing the LED screens would be given two months time to complete the installation. The work is expected to be awarded in the first week of October.

She said: “The screens would be used to display information related to tourism, facts about the city and the state, major announcements and advertisements. Initially, they are expected to be operational for eight hours a day.”

The work for illuminating Udyog Bhavan and Biscomaun Bhavan could also be awarded to another firm in the first week of October. The agency selected would have 90 days to complete the project though.

Sources said colours of the LED lights would keep changing for six to seven hours from sunset. The illuminated buildings would spread its colour around a minimum 3km from both buildings. Just the illumination on Udyog Bhavan and Biscomaun Bhavan is expected to cost Rs 50 lakh and Rs 70 lakh respectively.

The tourism corporation would, however, not be caught like a deer in headlights after the projects take off, as the selected agencies would be asked to provide maintenance support on the LED screens for two years and the LED illumination for five years.