Parliament Question: Central Financial Assistance for Tourism Infrastructure

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.80 ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025 CENTRAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE 80. SHRI MANI A: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has extended Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to Tamil Nadu for the development of tourism infrastructure, particularly ecotourism destinations, under various schemes including the Swadesh Darshan Scheme; (b) the details of ecotourism projects sanctioned and implemented in Tamil Nadu, with specific reference to Dharmapuri district, under the Eco Circuit theme; (c) whether any proposals have been received from the State Government of Tamil Nadu for development of new ecotourism destinations in Dharmapuri and adjoining areas such as Hogenakkal and the Cauvery Wildlife region; (d) the details of the funds approved, released and utilized for such projects during the last three years and the current year; and (e) the details of the steps taken/being taken to promote ecotourism in Dharmapuri through digital campaigns and community-based tourism initiatives? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (e): Development and promotion of tourism destinations and products is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government (SG)/Union Territory Administration (UTA). 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 scheme and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development in the country by extending financial assistance to the SGs/UTAs in synergy with the scheme guidelines, receipt of the project proposals from the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration, availability of funds etc. Ministry of Tourism has revamped theSwadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable tourism destinations. Government of India under its ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ sanctioned 40 projects in 23 States for Rs.3295.76 Crore in the country including Tamil Nadu in Financial Year 2024-25, with the primary objective to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding and marketing them at global scale. In addition, the Ministry under its Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACATID) scheme also provides financial assistance to central agencies for development of tourism projects. The details of the projects sanctioned under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD, SASCI and ACATID schemes in the state of Tamil Nadu is annexed. Presently, there is no proposal under consideration to sanction new projects at eco- tourism destinations. In addition, Ministry of Tourism promotes various tourist destinations and products of the country including those in Tamil Nadu in domestic and international markets in a holistic manner under the brand line of ‘Incredible India’. Such promotions are undertaken through various ongoing initiatives such as social media posts, promotional website, tourism related events, extending support to tourism related fairs and festivals, participation in road shows etc. *****ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.80 ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025 REGARDING CENTRAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE RAISED BY SHRI MANI A. (i) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the State of Tamil Nadu: (Amount in ₹Crore) S. Circuit / Name of the Project Sanctione Amount Amount No. Sanction d Cost Released / Utilizated Year Authorized 1. C oastal Development of 73.13 71.03 71.03 Circuit (Chennai- 2016-17 Mamallapuram – Rameshwaram – Manpadu – Kanyakumari) (ii) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in the State of Tamil Nadu: (Amount in ₹Crore) S. Year of Destination Name of the Sanctioned Amount No. Sanction Experience Cost Authorized for utilization by Implementing Agency 1. 2023-24 Mamallapuram Immersive 30.02 -- experience at Shore Temple (iii) Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme in the State of Tamil Nadu: (Amount in ₹Crore) S. Year of Name of the Project Category Sanctione Amount No. Sanction d Cost Authorized for utilization by State Implementing Agency1. lconic Spiritual 2024- Transformation of Tourism 20.01 2.00 25 Rameswaram (iv) Details of Project sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme in the State of Tamil Nadu: (Amount in ₹Crore) S. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount No. Sanction Cost Released for utilization 1. 2024-25 Development of Nandavanam 99.67 Heritage Park in Mamallapuram 2. 2024-25 Garden of Flowers in Devala 70.23 112.13 (Project location changed to Ooty) (v) Details of Project sanctioned under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme in the State of Tamil Nadu: (Amount in ₹Crore) Amount Amount S. Sanction Sanction Project Name Released Utilized No. Year Amount 1. Development of 2016-17 13.99 13.99 13.99 Kanchipuram 2. Development of Velankanni 2016-17 4.86 4.86 4.86 3. Development of 8 -- 2024-25 40.94 -- Navagraha Temples (vi) Details of Project sanctioned under Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACATID) Scheme in the State of Tamil Nadu: (Amount in ₹Crore) S. Project Name Sanction Sanction Amount No. Year Amount Released 1. Illumination and allied works at 31-03-2025 11.47 -- GangaikondaCholapuram Temple, District - Ariyalur2. Cruise Passenger Facilities Centre in 24-09-2012 17.24 17.24 the existing Passenger Terminal at Chennai Port. 3. Rameshwaram Railway Station 28-03-2018 4.7 3.75 4. Madurai Railway Station 30-06-2018 4.48 3.56 ******