Executive Summary:
This document summarizes funds allocated to Maharashtra's tourism sector in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2338. It details project funding under various central schemes like Swadesh Darshan, CBDD, SASCI, and Assistance to Central Agencies over the last five years. The Ministry of Tourism clarifies its role in complementing state efforts through financial assistance, subject to guidelines and project report submissions.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Funding and Project Implementation:**
* The Ministry of Tourism supports state-level tourism development through central sector schemes.
* Financial assistance is extended based on fund availability, adherence to scheme guidelines, and submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
* The Government of India also provides financial assistance to the States for development of tourism projects under its initiative for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).
* Funds are released in installments upon receipt of Utilization Certificates for previously released funds.
* The Ministry does not maintain district-wise records of fund releases.
* **Schemes and Projects in Maharashtra:**
* **Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme:**
* Pune Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park Phase 3 sanctioned ₹76.22 crore in 2023-24, with ₹7.62 crore authorized for utilization.
* **Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme:**
* Ahmednagar Fort development sanctioned ₹25.00 crore in 2024-25, with ₹2.50 crore authorized for utilization.
* **Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme:**
* INS Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial Reef, and Submarine Tourism in Sindhudurg sanctioned ₹46.91 crore in 2024-25, with ₹30.96 crore released for utilization.
* Development of RAMKAL PATH in Nashik sanctioned ₹99.14 crore in 2024-25, with ₹65.43 crore released for utilization.
* **Assistance to Central Agencies Scheme:**
* Upgradation/Modernization to International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock, Mumbai Port Trust sanctioned ₹3750 Lakh between 2012-2021, with ₹3000 Lakh released and utilized.
* **Role of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):**
* ASI undertakes conservation and maintenance of protected monuments and sites nationwide.
* This includes providing amenities and is a continuous process based on needs and resource availability.
Impact Analysis:
* **Maharashtra State Government/UT Administration:**
* *Impact:* Receives financial assistance for tourism projects, contributing to tourism infrastructure development and enhancement of tourism experiences.
* *Action Required:* Adhere to scheme guidelines, submit Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), and provide Utilization Certificates to receive fund installments.
* **State Implementing Agencies:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for utilizing the sanctioned funds for the approved tourism projects.
* *Action Required:* Effectively implement projects as per the sanctioned plans and provide utilization reports.
* **Ministry of Tourism:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for allocation and release of funds under various schemes.
* *Action Required:* Ensure adherence to scheme guidelines, process DPRs, and monitor project progress.
* **Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for conservation and maintenance of protected monuments and sites.
* *Action Required:* Continue conservation efforts based on the needs of monuments and availability of resources.
Key Entities Referenced
Maharashtra: A state in India, focus of fund allocation for tourism sector.
SHRI BALYA MAMA SURESH GOPINATH MHATRE: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding allocation of funds for tourism in Maharashtra.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: Minister of Tourism who provided the answer in the Lok Sabha.
Swadesh DarshanSD: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for development of tourist destinations.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism focused on rejuvenation and augmentation of pilgrimage and heritage sites.
Archaeological Survey of lndia ASl: Agency responsible for conservation and maintenance of protected monuments and sites throughout the country.
Pune, Maharashtra: A city in Maharashtra where funds were allocated for Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park.
Ahmednagar, Maharashtra: A district in Maharashtra where funds were provided under the Challenge Based Destination Development CBDD Scheme for Ahmednagar Fort.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2338
ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR TOURISM SECTOR OF MAHARASHTRA
†2338. SHRI BALYA MAMA SURESH GOPINATH MHATRE:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the amount of funds allocated to Maharashtra for tourism sector by
the Government during the last five years and the places where
these funds were utilized along with the type of work which was
undertaken there;
(b) the reasons for delay in release of funds for these tourism projects, if
any;
(c) the name of the districts of Maharashtra where the funds were
provided under the Central sector schemes; and
(d) the details of the targets fixed and the achievements made so far in
respect of restoration of religious places in order to promote tourism
in various States of the country including Maharashtra?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and tourism
products is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/
Union Territory (UT) Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism
through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan(SD)’, Swadesh
Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ –
a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and
Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to
Central Agencies(ACA) for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ schemes
complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by
extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT
Administrations; subject to availability of funds, adherence to scheme
guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by the State
Government etc.In addition, Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special
Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ has also provided
financial assistance to the States for development of tourism projects.
The Ministry does not release or maintain district-wise release of
funds in respect of the projects sanctioned under aforesaid schemes.
However, the details of the projects sanctioned in the state of
Maharashtra under aforesaid schemes in last five years, along with the
sanctioned and released amounts, is annexed. As part of these projects,
the components related to tourist amenities and enhancement of tourism
experiences are sanctioned.
Release of funds under the schemes is undertaken in instalments as
per the guidelines and instructions issued in this regard from time to time
and receipt of Utilization Certificates from the State Governments/ UTAs
for the funds earlier released.
Archaeological Survey of lndia (ASl) takes up conservation and
maintenance work of protected monuments and sites including provision
of amenities like drinking water, toilet blocks, pathways and landscaping
etc., throughout the country. Conservation and maintenance of monuments
and archaeological sites is a continuous process and is taken up as per
the need of monuments and availability of resources. However, funds are
allocated as per the need of monuments.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.†2338 ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025 REGARDING ALLOCATION
OF FUNDS FOR TOURISM SECTOR OF MAHARASHTRA RAISED BY SHRI
BALYA MAMA SURESH GOPINATH MHATRE
Details of Project sanctioned in last five years under Swadesh Darshan 2.0
Scheme in the State of Maharashtra:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Year of Destination Name of the Sanctioned Amount
No. Sanction Experience Cost Authorized for
utilization by
State
Implementing
Agency
1 2023-24 Pune Shivsrushti 76.22 7.62
Historical Theme
Park- Phase 3
Details of Project sanctioned in last five years under Challenge Based
Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme in the State of Maharashtra:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Year of Name of the Sanctioned Amount Authorized for
No. Sanction Project Cost utilization by State
Implementing Agency
1 Development of
2024-25 25.00 2.50
Ahmednagar Fort
Details of Projects sanctioned in last five years under Special Assistance
to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme in the State of
Maharashtra:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount
Sanction Cost Released
No.
for
Utilization
1 2024-25 INS-Guldar Underwater 46.91 30.96
Museum, Artificial Reef, and
submarine Tourism inSindhudurg
2 2024-25 Development of RAM-KAL PATH 99.14 65.43
in Nashik
Details of Projects sanctioned in last five years under the Scheme
Assistance to Central Agencies in the State of Maharashtra is as under:
(Amount in ₹Lakh)
S. Name of Agency Sanction Sanctioned Amount Amount
No. Project Date Cost Released / Utilized
Authorized
1. Upgradation/Mo Mumbai 20-12- 3750 3000 3000
Port
dernization to 2021
Trust
International
Cruise Terminal
at Indira Dock,
Mumbai Port
Trust
*****