The Bihar cabinet approved the construction of three five-star hotels in Patna on Tuesday in a state that has no five-star hotels, barring one run seasonally in collaboration with Japan, despite having a flourishing pilgrimage and tourist circuit connected to Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism and Hinduism. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar.

In a state that has earned notoriety for frequently falling bridges, the cabinet also gave its nod to the ‘Mukhyamantri Grameen Setu Yojana’ under which the rural works department will construct bridges up to 100 metres in length while the Bihar State Pul Nirman Nigam Limited will construct bridges that are more than 100 metres long. The move is expected to bring more accountability to their construction.

Bihar boasts of Bodh Gaya where Siddhartha received enlightenment to become the Buddha, Lord Mahavira — the 24th Jain Tirthankara — took birth and passed away, and Guru Gobind Singh, and the 10th and last Guru of the Sikhs, was born; and Gaya where the Hindus offer their final prayers to their parents and ancestors and seek their liberation.

“Among the 46 agendas approved by the cabinet, one is the nod for the construction and operation of three five-star hotels in Patna in PPP (public-private–partnership) mode. These will be built at Sultan Palace, Patliputra Ashok and Bankipur,” cabinet secretariat department additional chief secretary S. Siddharth said.

Among the hotels, Sultan Palace, a 102-year-old building constructed in Indo-Saracenic style by the famous barrister, freedom fighter and politician Sir Sultan Ahmed (188-1963), would be developed as a heritage hotel property and retain its architectural specialities.

The palace had seen agitation by history and heritage lovers, who opposed the previous plans to bring down the existing structure.

The cabinet gave its green signal to constitute an agriculture marketing directorate.