**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Tourism announced new initiatives to promote destination-based development in India, including upgrading tourism infrastructure and experiences. The ministry has sanctioned projects under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) schemes. This information was released on February 12, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Financial Sanctions:**
* 53 projects sanctioned for Rs.2208.31 Crore under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.
* 38 projects sanctioned for Rs.697.94 Crore under CBDD.
* 54 projects sanctioned for Rs.1726.74 Crore under PRASHAD scheme.
* **Scheme Guidelines and Requirements:**
* Regional balance is maintained when sanctioning projects under SD2.0, CBDD and PRASHAD schemes.
* Sanctioning is subject to project proposals from State Governments/UT Administrations, following scheme guidelines, Government instructions, and budget availability.
* **Project Implementation and Focus:**
* Implementation, operation, and management of the projects is undertaken by the concerned State Government/UT Administration.
* Components sanctioned primarily facilitate tourists and visitors, including digital interventions.
* Tourism core products covered include facilitation centres, interpretation centres, activities, sanitation, connectivity, and site development.
* **Overall Impact and Monitoring:**
* Projects are sanctioned on a pan-India basis, supporting local employment and amenities for tourists.
* State Governments/UT Administrations, who own and manage the assets, are advised to capture data on footfall, employment, and revenue generated.
* **Promotional Activities:**
* The Ministry promotes tourism destinations and products through its website, social media, and events.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Governments/UT Administrations**
* **Impact:** Responsible for submitting project proposals, implementing, operating, and managing sanctioned projects.
* **Action Required:** Submit project proposals in line with guidelines, manage project implementation, and capture data on footfall, employment, and revenue.
**Stakeholder: Tourists and Visitors**
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries of upgraded tourism infrastructure, enhanced experiences, and improved facilities.
* **Action Required:** No action required.
**Stakeholder: Local Communities**
* **Impact:** Potential beneficiaries of increased employment opportunities and economic growth due to increased tourism.
* **Action Required:** No action required.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: Central ministry responsible for promoting destination-based development and tourism infrastructure in India.
Swadesh Darshan 2.0: A revamped scheme of the Ministry of Tourism focused on the sustainable development of tourism destinations.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD): A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism for rejuvenation and spiritual heritage augmentation.
Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD): An initiative under Swadesh Darshan scheme for development of tourism infrastructure.
Ministry of Tourism
New Initiatives to promote destination based
development for Tourism
Posted On: 12 FEB 2026 3:03PM by PIB Delhi
Ministry of Tourism has undertaken multiple steps to promote destination-based development including
upgradation of tourism infrastructure and experiences in the country. Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (revamped
version of Swadesh Darshan scheme) of Ministry of Tourism focuses on sustainable development of
tourism destinations and the Ministry has sanctioned 53 projects for Rs.2208.31 Crore under this scheme.
Further, 38 projects for Rs.697.94 Crore under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), an
initiative under Swadesh Darshan scheme have also been sanctioned for development of tourism
infrastructure. Under ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’
scheme, the Ministry has sanctioned 54 projects for Rs.1726.74 Crore. While regional balance is
maintained while sanctioning projects under SD2.0, CBDD and PRASHAD schemes, the projects are
sanctioned subject to submission of project proposals by the concerned State Governments/UT
Administrations in line with the scheme guidelines, Government instructions, availability of budget, inter-
se priority etc.
Implementation, operation and management of these projects is also undertaken by the concerned State
Government/UT Administration. The components sanctioned under the above-mentioned schemes are
primarily those related to facilitation of tourists and visitors including digital interventions. These
components are considered for sanctioning as per project requirement and may cover those related to
tourism core products such as tourist facilitation centre, interpretation centre, tourism activities, health
sanitation & safety, connectivity, parking, general site development, soft interventions etc. The Ministry of
Tourism has also included an illustrative list of components which can enhance tourism potential, in the
scheme guidelines of Swadesh Darshan 2.0.
The projects under SD2.0, CBDD and PRASHAD have been sanctioned on pan-India basis and also
supports in creation of opportunities for local employment and creation of better facilities and amenities
for the tourists thereby in increase in visitor footfall. Since the assets created through these schemes are
owned, operated and managed by the State Governments/UT Administrations, Ministry has advised them
to capture data in respect of footfall, employment, revenue generated and other parameters.
The Ministry as part of its ongoing promotional activities also promotes various tourism destinations and
products of the country through its website, social media activities, events etc.
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in
a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
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Sunil Kumar Tiwaritourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com
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