By Manoj Pathak
Rajgir, Dec 17 (IANS): Bihar's Rajgir is already popular among foreign tourists for its glimpses of ancient India. But despite being popular, tourists are reluctant to stay, hence, some tourist places are being developed to attract visitors.
One of these tourist places is Nature Safari where the 'Glass Sky-walk Bridge' is attracting eyeballs these days.
An official of the forest department said that the safari is spread around a 500 acre forest area. The Glass Sky-walk Bridge has been constructed near the main entrance and is completely built of glass and steel.
He said that the total length of this sky-walk is 85 feet and the width is about 6 feet. Its height is about 250 feet from the valley and a total of 40 visitors can walk on it in one go, though only 10 to 12 people will be able to go to the D sector i.e. the last end.
Built at the foothills of Rajgir's Vaibhar Giri mountain, three 15 mm glass mirrors have been installed on this bridge. The total glass thickness is 45mm, which is completely transparent, due to which it will be quite thrilling to walk on it.
It is being said that the people walking on it will feel themselves floating in the air. A target has been set to complete it by March of the new year. At present, the construction work of the ladder and other paths and platforms is still going on in the last phase.
Officials claim that this bridge is being built on the lines of the Sky-walk Bridge in China. It will be the first in Bihar and the second such bridge in the country.
According to the officials, tourists coming here will also be able to enjoy archery, cycling, trekking, mud and tree cottages, wooden hut and a medicinal park. Construction work of all these is going on in full swing.
It is being constructed amidst the dense forest on the road going from Rajgir in Nalanda district to Jethian road in Gaya district. It is about 8 kilometres from Jarasandha Arena.
Mud cottages are being constructed from mud and straw at Nature Safari where people can enjoy living in a house amidst nature. Officials said that tree cottages have also been built here to give people the experience of living on trees as in ancient times.
Forest department officials hope that after the completion of all these projects the number of tourists will increase they will spend many days here.