The Bihar government has approved three important schemes for state pilgrims, tourists, and rural entrepreneurs travelling, who wish to travel within and outside the state. The state cabinet, led by CM Samrat Choudhary, approved the Sindhu Darshan Pilgrimage Financial Assistance Grant Scheme 2026, the Chief Minister of Bihar Heli-Tourism and Air Tourism Service Scheme 2026, and the Chief Minister Homestay Promotion Scheme 2026.

These schemes aim to promote religious tourism, air tourism and rural tourism.

Sindhu Darshan Yatra

The state Cabinet has approved the Sindhu Darshan Pilgrimage Financial Assistance Grant Scheme, 2026. Under this initiative, the state pilgrims will be provided financial assistance for travelling to the Indus River in Ladakh.

The government will bear 50 per cent of the travel expenses or a maximum of Rs 20,000, whichever is less, as a subsidy to the passengers completing the journey.

Per the government, the high cost of the pilgrimage often poses a barrier for many people. The scheme will, thus, encourage economically disadvantaged pilgrims to undertake the Sindhu Darshan Yatra.

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The scheme is launched on the lines of similar initiatives in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Heli-tourism in Bihar

The Chief Minister's Bihar Heli-Tourism and Air Tourism Service Plan-2026 has been approved to provide tourists with fast, convenient, and comfortable travel within the state. Under this scheme, major tourist destinations in the state will be connected by helicopter service.

The scheme will be implemented in phased manner. In the first phase, tourists sites like Rajgir, Maa Mundeshwari Temple (Kaimur), and Valmikinagar will be covered.

The service will start from July 2026 and continue till January 15, 2027. Tourists will receive discounted air travel, and purchasing a travel package will be mandatory.

Helicopter in Patna skyline

The government has also planned to start a helicopter joyride in Patna every Saturday and Sunday to promote tourism. The initiative aims to provide tourists with an aerial view of the capital's skyline at Rs 2,100.

Chief Minister Homestay Promotion Scheme gets approval

In order to promote rural tourism in the state, the Chief Minister's Homestay Promotion Scheme 2026 has been approved by the state Cabinet.

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The scheme will also promote rural employment. Under this scheme, homestay operators will be granted financial assistance for developing their accommodation for tourists. The government has decided to give a capital subsidy of up to Rs 10 lakh for a maximum of 4 rooms.

Women, self-help groups (SHGs) and young entrepreneurs between 18 and 25 years of age will be given an additional incentive of Rs 25,000 per room.

The total grant could reach Rs 11 lakh. The government has set a target of registering 1,000 rooms over the next five years.