Patna: The state govt has approved Rs 24.28 crore for the development and modernisation of tourist facilities at Sonepur fair site in Saran district, deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said on Monday.He said the plan for Sonepur fair development has been approved under the sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0. “This will promote local employment and economic activities in rural areas,” he said, adding that the govt is to develop Sonepur fair as a digital and eco-sensitive site for global tourism.Choudhary said the scheme includes entrance gate, market construction, road widening, road connectivity to the ghat, and parking area, and shuttle service. “Work will also be done on green initiatives like plastic-free fair area, waste management, solar energy and environmental awareness campaign. Under the digital initiative, services like fair mobile app, cashless payment, virtual darshan and smart parking will be created,” he said.The monthlong fair, once known worldwide for sale and purchase of elephants, cows, horses, birds and oxen, is held every year on Kartik Purnima (Nov 5 this year) at the confluence of Ganga-Gandak rivers.