Nitish Kumar wants Gaya Airport be named after Buddha

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar today said he would take up with the Centre the issue of naming Gaya Airport as Lord Buddha International airport which would help further boost international tourism.

"I will personally take up with the Centre the issue of naming Gaya Airport as Lord Buddha International Airport to help boost international tourism," Kumar said before leaving for a 12-day visit to China.

Kumar said he had yesterday written a letter to civil aviation minister Vayalar Ravi to press for the demand.

Bodh Gaya was the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site in the world as it is the place where under a pipal tree Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment and sapling of that tree still stands in the temple premises at Bodh Gaya, he said.

Kumar said an international airport, located at about 5km from Bodh Gaya town, was established at Gaya to cater to international and national tourists.

The passenger traffic at this airport has been increasing and the Gaya airport was needed to be expanded, he said adding "we are in the final stage of transferring additional 100 acres for the proposed expansion."