Parliament Question: Buddhist sites in Karnataka

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2379 ANSWERED ON 12.03.2026 BUDDHIST SITES IN KARNATAKA 2379 DR. DHARMASTHALA VEERENDRA HEGGADE: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the details status of projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme for Buddhist Sites in Karnataka; (b) the details of development of the Buddhist Sites at Banavasi, Chandravalli and Brahmagiri, Badami Caves, Dambal and Sannati and Kanaganahalli; (c) the details of measures taken to improve the last-mile connectivity and tourist amenities at these Sites; and (d) the status of completion of ongoing projects and the utilization of funds? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (d): Development and promotion of tourism at different destinations including Buddhist Destinations is primarily done by the concerned State Government (SG)/UT Administration (UTA). However, Ministry of Tourism under its various schemes including Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) and ‘Challenge Based Destination Development – CBDD (a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan scheme) provides financial assistance for development of tourism infrastructure and experiences in the country, on receipt of the project proposals from State Governments/UT Administrations, in synergy with the scheme guidelines, Government directions, availability of funds, inter-se priority etc. A range of components which may enhance tourism facilitation at destinations are considered for sanctioning under the schemes, as per project requirement, including those related to tourism core products, tourism activities, safety, sanitation, last mile connectivity, parking, general site development, soft interventions etc. The projects sanctioned under SD2.0 & CBDD schemes are implemented by the concerned State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and funds are authorized for utilization in instalments. The details of the projects sanctioned under SD2.0 & CBDD schemes in the state of Karnataka, which are at different stages of implementation, is annexed. *******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2379 ANSWERED ON 12.03.2026 REGARDING BUDDHIST SITES IN KARNATAKA RAISED BY DR. DHARMASTHALA VEERENDRA HEGGADE Details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and CBDD schemes in the state of Karnataka:- (Rs. In Crore) Schemes Name of the project Year of Sanction Amount Sanction Amount authorized for utilization SD 2.0 Ecological Experience Zone, Mysore 2023-24 18.48 1.85 Tonga ride Heritage experience zone, Mysore 2023-24 2.72 0.27 Setting up of ‘Traveller nooks’, Hampi 2023-24 25.64 2.56 CBDD Development of Bidar as a Heritage Tourism 2025-26 25.00 2.50 Destination *******