Bihar Tourism Minister Pledges to Beautify Heritage Structures Amid Sultan Palace Controversy

Bihar’s newly appointed Tourism Minister, Kedar Prasad Gupta, has announced that all heritage structures and old buildings in the state will be beautified. This statement comes amidst growing controversy surrounding the future of the 104-year-old Sultan Palace in Patna. Recent media reports suggested the historic landmark might be demolished to accommodate a proposed five-star hotel under a public-private partnership model, sparking outrage among historians, conservationists, and civil society groups. These stakeholders demand the palace be preserved and integrated into the tourism project, as originally envisioned in 2017. Although the Bihar Cabinet approved the hotel project in September 2024 with assurances of preservation, rumors of demolition resurfaced after an unpublicized committee report allegedly claimed the building is not listed as heritage. Minister Gupta’s remarks, made shortly after taking office, aim to allay public fears regarding the destruction of cultural assets. While he did not provide specific details on the Sultan Palace's immediate fate, his commitment to beautifying heritage sites signals a prioritization of cultural preservation in Bihar’s tourism strategy. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between urban development projects and heritage conservation efforts in the region.