Virendra Singh Rawat / New Delhi/ Lucknow September 08, 2008, 3:59 IST To boost tourism in Uttar Pradesh and realise the immense untapped potential in the sector, the state government is working towards a new tourism policy. The policy is expected to give a leeway to private investment and promote public-private partnership (PPP) in the sector. Although national and international backpackers visit tourist centres such as Agra, Varanasi and the Buddhist Circuit comprising Sarnath, Kushinagar, Sankisa Kaushambi, Shravasti and Kapilvastu, the potential of the sector in UP has not been unleashed due to government apathy and poor infrastructure. A senior tourism department official told Business Standard the new tourism policy would give thrust to eco-tourism, since UP has backwater tourist spots, which have failed to flourish in the absence of heavy publicity and marketing. The new policy is likely to be announced soon, according to the official. Recently, the state government announced a new energy policy, which has given rich dividends and top companies, including Reliance Power, Lanco, NTPC, have submitted their bids to develop two thermal power plants in UP. At present, the tourism department is following two projects