Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tourism addressed a question in Lok Sabha regarding the creation of a Guru Nanak Dev Ji Circuit to commemorate Guru Nanak Dev Ji's journeys. While there is no specific circuit under consideration, the Ministry supports tourism infrastructure development through existing schemes and provides financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territories. Several projects with Sikh religious importance have been sanctioned under various schemes. Receiving proposals from State Governments/UT Administrations for financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Government's Position:**
* The development and promotion of tourist destinations is undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory Administration.
* The Ministry of Tourism complements these efforts by extending financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development through schemes like PRASHAD, Swadesh Darshan, and Assistance to Central Agencies.
* No specific Guru Nanak Dev Ji Circuit is currently under consideration by the Ministry of Tourism.
* Receiving proposals from State Governments/UT Administrations for financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process.
* **Projects Sanctioned (with Sikh Religious Importance):**
* *PRASHAD Scheme*:
* Development at Patna Sahib (Rs. 29.62 Crore)
* Development of Mata Mansa Devi Temple and Nada Saheb Gurudwara in Panchkula District (Rs. 48.53 Crore)
* Development of Chamkaur Sahib at Rupar, Punjab (Rs. 30.52 Crore)
* Development of Karuna Sagar Valmiki Sthal at Amritsar (Rs. 6.40 Crore)
* *Swadesh Darshan Scheme*:
* Heritage Development of Anandpur Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib, Ferozpur, Khatkar Kalan, Kalanour, Patiala (Rs. 85.32 Crore sanctioned in 2018-19 under the Heritage Circuit)
* *Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme*:
* Cultural and Heritage Stretch at Hussainiwala Border, Ferozepur (Rs. 25.00 Crore)
* Heritage street A symbor of peace and Harmony at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar (Rs. 24.90 Crore)
* *Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme*:
* Development of Heritage Street as a tribute to ShaheedeAzam, Sardar Bhaghat Singh at Khatkar Kalan in SBS Nagar (Rs. 53.45 Crore)
* *Scheme Assistance to Central Agencies*:
* Restoration/Renovation of Jallianwala Bagh Memorial, Additional work to be taken at Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial at Amritsar, Punjab (Rs. 23.02 Crore)
* Amritsar Railway Station (Rs. 5.84 Crore)
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/UT Administrations:
* *Impact*: Responsible for the development and promotion of tourist destinations. Can receive financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism for tourism infrastructure projects.
* *Action Required*: Can submit proposals to the Ministry of Tourism for financial assistance, adhering to prescribed guidelines.
Central Agencies:
* *Impact*: Can receive assistance for specific tourism-related projects, like the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial and Amritsar Railway Station.
* *Action Required*: Continue to manage and execute the sanctioned projects effectively.
Ministry of Tourism:
* *Impact*: Responsible for providing financial assistance and supporting tourism infrastructure development across the country.
* *Action Required*: Continue to examine proposals received from State Governments/UT Administrations and extend financial assistance based on the guidelines and fund availability.
Key Entities Referenced
Guru Nanak Dev Ji: Sikh Guru whose journeys are being considered for a tourism circuit.
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for tourism development and promotion.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism to develop and promote pilgrimage and heritage sites.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism focused on developing theme-based tourist circuits.
Patna Sahib: A Sikh pilgrimage site in Bihar, India.
Mata Mansa Devi Temple: A Hindu temple in Panchkula District, Haryana.
Nada Saheb Gurudwara: A Sikh gurudwara in Panchkula District, Haryana.
Anandpur Sahib: A city in Punjab, India, significant in Sikhism.
Amritsar, Punjab: A city in Punjab, India, home to the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh.
Jallianwala Bagh: A historical garden and memorial in Amritsar, Punjab, site of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: The Minister of Tourism in India.
Punjab: A state in India with significant Sikh heritage.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.65
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
CREATION OF GURU NANAK CIRCUIT
65. SHRI GURMEET SINGH MEET HAYER:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that Guru Nanak Dev Ji
travelled extensively on four Udasis to spread the message of
EkOnkar (One God), universal brotherhood and Gurmat (the
teachings of the Guru) as these journeys covered vast regions in
the country and beyond, leaving behind a rich spiritual and
cultural legacy;
(b) if so, whether the Government proposed the creation of a Guru
Nanak Dev Ji Circuit under any scheme to commemorate these
historic journeys and promote religious and spiritual tourism; and
(c) if so, the details along with the steps taken/being taken so far
and the proposed timeline for their implementation?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c): Development and promotion of tourist destinations is
undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT)
Administration. The Ministry of Tourism through its ongoing schemes
of ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive
(PRASHAD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies
for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ complements the efforts of
the State Governments (SGs)/UT Administrations (UTs) by extending
financial assistance to SGs/UTs/Central Agencies for tourism
infrastructure development.
No Guru Nanak Dev Ji Circuit is under consideration of the Ministry of
Tourism. However, projects sanctioned are at the annexure.Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations
for financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process.
The proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribed
guidelines and financial assistance is extended for such projects
subject to fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and availability of
funds.
*****ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.65 ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025 REGARDING
CREATION OF GURU NANAK CIRCUIT BY SHRI GURMEET SINGH MEET
HAYER.
List of projects with Sikh religious importance under the PRASHAD
Scheme
(Rs. In Crore)
Sr. Name of the Project Amount
No. Sanctioned
1. Development at Patna Sahib 29.62
2. Development of Mata Mansa Devi Temple and Nada 48.53
Saheb Gurudwara in Panchkula District
3. Development of Chamkaur Sahib at Rupar, Punjab 30.52
4. Development of Karuna Sagar Valmiki Sthal at 6.40
Amritsar
List of projects with Sikh religious importance under the Swadesh
Darshan Scheme
(Rs. In Crore)
Sr. Circuit/Year Project Name Amount
No. Sanctioned
1. Heritage Development of Anandpur Sahib - 85.32
Circuit Fatehgarh Sahib - Chamkaur Sahib -
2018-19 Ferozpur - Khatkar Kalan – Kalanour
- Patiala
List of Projects with Sikh religious importance under ‘Challenge Based
Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme
(Rs. In Crore)
Sr. Amount
Name of the Project
No. Sanctioned
Cultural and Heritage Strech at Hussainiwala
1. 25.00
Border, Ferozepur
Heritage street -A symbor of peace and Harmony
2. 24.90
at Sri Anandpur Sahib, RupnagarList of Projects with Sikh religious importance under Special
Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI Scheme)
(Rs. In Crore)
Amount
Sr. No. Name of the Project
Sanctioned
Development of Heritage Street as a tribute
1. to Shaheed-e-Azam, Sardar Bhaghat Singh 53.45
at Khatkar Kalan in SBS Nagar
List of Projects with Sikh religious importance under the Scheme
Assistance to Central Agencies
(Rs. In Crore)
Sr. No. Name of the Project Amount
Sanctioned
Restoration/Renovation of ‘Jallianwala Bagh
Memorial’ & Additional work to be taken at
1. 23.02
Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial at
Amritsar, Punjab.
2. Amritsar Railway Station 5.84
*****