Rajgir, Dec. 20: A comprehensive action plan would soon be evolved to develop the Gridhakut hills and nearby Ghorakatora lake as a model of eco-tourism at Rajgir in Nalanda district, officials said today.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar issued a directive to this effect to senior state officials during his visit to the area on Sunday.

The authorities have been asked to stop any constructionwork in the area from World Peace Pagoda to Gridhakut hills.

The plan is to make the area pollution-free, launch a massive afforestation drive and initiate measures for desilting of the lake.

He also directed the officials of Bridge Construction Corporation to maintain international standards in the International Convention Centre being constructed at Nalanda.

“This would be a pollution-free zone. All the offices of police, forest and tourism departments will run from the Swiss cottages and there should not be any construction in this area anymore,” the chief minister said. Nitish had announced his government’s commitment to bring back Bihar’s glory while inauguration the Rajgir Mahtosav, organised by the tourism department, on Saturday.

“Rajgir and Nalanda have been world renowned places of knowledge and education. Our mission is to bring back the lost glory of the state by setting up a university of international repute at Nalanda on the lines of the historic Nalanda University in the next seven-eight years. The state government desperately needs the Centre’s support,” Nitish had said.

“My aim is to set up a big university where all kinds of disputes, problems and conflicts can be solved,” the chief minister added.