**Summary:**
The Ministry of Tourism is promoting intercultural tourism between the North Eastern Region (NER) and Southern India. The Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), launched on October 21, 2016, aims to enhance regional air connectivity and affordability. Currently, 53 Tourism RCS (TRCS) routes are operational, funded by 100% Viability Gap Funding (VGF) from the Ministry of Tourism, though there is no direct air connectivity between NER and Southern India under RCS-UDAN; indirect connectivity is available through connecting flights. A total of 90 routes have been operationalized in the NER, connecting 10 airports and 2 heliports.
In FY 2024-25, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) operated 17 Bharat Gaurav Train trips on theme-based circuits, with 9,246 tourists visiting Tamil Nadu. Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) was included in 4 of these trips, attracting 1,923 tourists. IRCTC also organizes tours connecting Southern India and NER destinations as part of the Yuva Sangam Tours, an Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative for cultural exchange between states/UTs. Additionally, IRCTC offers domestic air packages connecting the NER and South India, such as the "KERALA LUXE ESCAPE EX BAGDOGRA" and "KERALA LUXE ESCAPE EX GUWAHATI" packages, which are 6 nights/7 days trips to destinations like Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey, and Trivandrum with departures scheduled for October 11, 2025.
The NER offers tourism opportunities rooted in cultural experiences, while South India presents potential through tribal arts, rural experiences, and cultural exchange programs. This integration aims to promote a sustainable and inclusive future by preserving heritage and empowering local communities.
For further information, contact Sunil Kumar Tiwari at tourism4pib@gmail.com. Release ID: 2152155.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in India. Provided Viability Gap Funding (VGF) reimbursement.
North Eastern Region: Refers to the northeastern states of India, a region with tourism potential. Also referred as NER.
Southern India: Refers to the southern states of India, a region with tourism potential.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the regulation of air transport services. Also referred as MoCA.
Regional Connectivity Scheme Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik: A scheme by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to enhance regional air connectivity. Also referred to as RCS-UDAN.
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation: An Indian public sector undertaking that provides catering and tourism services for the Indian Railways. Also referred to as IRCTC.
Tamil Nadu: A state in Southern India, a popular tourist destination visited by Bharat Gaurav Trains.
Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat: A Government of India initiative to enhance interaction & promote mutual understanding between people of different States/UTs.
Ministry of Tourism
Inter-Cultural Tourism Between NER and Southern
India
Posted On: 04 AUG 2025 5:08PM by PIB Delhi
Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) launched the Regional Connectivity Scheme Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik
(RCS-UDAN) on 21.10.2016 to enhance regional air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports in
the country and make air travel affordable to the masses.
Under this scheme, with a view to strengthen tourism connectivity, 53 Tourism RCS routes across the country
including North Eastern Region (NER) and Southern India are operationalised under Tourism - RCS (TRCS).
These routes were funded with 100% Viability Gap Funding (VGF) reimbursement by Ministry of Tourism
providing direct air connectivity to tourist destinations and cultural sites in the country. Though there is no
direct air connectivity under RCS Udan between airports at North-Eastern region to Southern Indian airports,
indirect connectivity is available through connecting flights.
A total of 90 routes has been operationalised in the North Eastern Region (NER) under the Regional
Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), connecting 10 airports and 02 heliports across the NER states.
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has informed that total 17 trips of Bharat Gaurav
Trains on theme-based circuit were operated in financial year 2024-25 in which 9,246 tourists visited Tamil
Nadu. Out of these 17 tours, Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) was included in 04 trips and 1,923 tourists visited
Tiruchirapalli (Trichy).
IRCTC has organized different tours connecting Southern Part of India and North East destinations as a part
of Yuva Sangam Tours which is an initiative by Government of India under “Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat”
scheme to strengthen people to people connect especially between youth belonging to various States/UTs. In
the Yuva Sangam Tours, institutes from the North-Eastern region and Tamilnadu have been paired together
for the cultural exchange.
IRCTC also conducts Domestic Air packages providing tourism connectivity between the North Eastern
Region and South India. Following table give details in this regard:
S. No. Package Name Source Destination Duration Departure
K E R A L A L U X E Munnar / Thekkady /
6 Nights / 7
1. E S C A P E E X - Bagdogra Alleppey / Trivandrum / 11.10.2025
Days
BAGDOGRA Kochi
KERALA LUXE Munnar / Thekkady /
6 Nights / 7
2. E S C A P E E X - Guwahati Alleppey / Trivandrum / 11.10.2025
Days
GUWAHATI Kochi
North East India offers diverse tourism-based livelihood opportunities rooted in cultural experiences such as
community-based tourism, eco-friendly homestays, cultural performances, nature-based activities, culinary
tourism, and sustainable farming. Similarly, South India presents potential through tribal arts, rural
experiences, and cultural exchange programs.
Such cultural integration and tourism-linked livelihoods helps a sustainable and inclusive future roadmap by
preserving heritage and empowering local communities across regions.This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a
written reply in Lok Sabha today.
****
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2152155)