Jamshedpur, Nov. 6: The state tourism department will soon take over seven tourist complex and hotels which are under the control of the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC).

Sources said the state tourism department would take charge of the hotels in a fortnight. The takeover of the tourist complexes was hanging in the balance for the past three years due to the alleged apathy of BSTDC.

However, after several meetings, the BSTDC agreed to hand over the control to the state tourism department. Sources said a final decision on the takeover was taken during a meeting between the tourism department officials of the two states held in Patna recently.

The tourist complexes include Natraj Vihar and Vaidyanath Vihar in Deoghar, Vasuki Vihar in Vasukinath, Ratna Vihar in Dhanbad, Aranya Vihar in Hazaribagh, Shital Vihar in Barhi and Madhuban Vihar in Giridih.

According to tourism director Sanoj Jha, who is also managing director of Jharkhand State Tourism Development Corporation (JSTDC), tourism development corporations of both the states would enter into an agreement after the takeover.

“We are happy that the takeover issue has been resolved. The takeover of the complex and hotels would boost the state’s tourism development plans. We have already prepared a blueprint on the facilities that needed to be provided to attract more tourists,” he said.

Officials of the tourism directorate said the property that would come under the control of the state tourism department is valued at Rs 15 crore. The technical wing of JSTDC had conducted a survey of these tourist complex.

“The tourist complex in Vasukinath and Deoghar are hotspots. We have facilities for the tourists who visits the place from various parts of the country round the year,” said the officials.

However, officials said the tourist complex based in Dhanbad, Hazaribagh and Barhi need a facelift.