Bihar Tourism Minister Vows to Beautify Heritage Sites, Addresses Sultan Palace Concerns

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Bihar Tourism Minister Vows to Beautify Heritage Sites, Addresses Sultan Palace Concerns | AirNews

Bihar Tourism Minister Kedar Prasad Gupta stated on May 8, 2026, that all heritage structures in the state will be beautified, amid growing controversy over the proposed five-star hotel project at the historic Sultan Palace in Patna. The statement, made during his first media interaction after assuming office, marks the first official response from the tourism ministry since reports in April suggested the 1922-built palace could face demolition.

The Bihar Cabinet had approved in September 2024 a public-private partnership plan to develop a heritage hotel at the Sultan Palace site while preserving its original structure, reversing a 2022 demolition proposal. The palace, constructed by barrister Sir Sultan Ahmed, is unlisted as a protected heritage building, according to a report by a state-appointed committee, which has not been made public. This lack of disclosure has drawn criticism from heritage activists and civil society groups.

Heritage advocates, including the Bihar chapter of INTACH and local conservation groups, have demanded transparency on the committee's findings and called for the palace to be preserved as part of the hotel project. The April 16 media report, published ahead of World Heritage Day, triggered public outcry, with conservationists warning of further loss of Patna’s architectural legacy, citing past demolitions of the Dak Bungalow, Bankipore Jail, and Patna Collectorate.

The tourism department confirmed it has not yet received the committee’s final report, despite its formation months earlier. Gupta did not provide specifics on the palace’s future but emphasized promoting Bihar’s tourism potential. The court had previously stayed any structural changes to the palace pending further orders.

The Bihar government is expected to release an official update on the Sultan Palace project within the next two weeks, following internal consultations between the tourism, art, and culture departments. The next hearing on the matter in the Patna High Court is scheduled for May 22, 2026.