Parliament Question: Development and Professional Management of Heritage Destinations

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2467 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT OF HERITAGE DESTINATIONS 2467. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is promoting development and professional management of major heritage destinations across the country, particularly UNESCO World Heritage Sites and iconic tourist destinations; (b) whether Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the country’s recognised iconic tourist destinations and due to its historical and cultural significance, has been considered for establishment of a dedicated tourism office to coordinate tourism development and facilitate visitors; (c) whether the Government is cognizant that the existing Light and Sound Show at the Khajuraho temple complex requires reconceptualization and technological upgradation; (d) if so, the details of efforts being made to upgrade the Light and Sound Show and improve visitor experience; and (e) if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a): Identification, promotion and development of tourism infrastructure, amenities and experiences at tourist destinations including places of historical, heritage and iconic significance are primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government/UT Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism, under its various schemes such as Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), provides financial assistance for the development oftourism related infrastructure and experiences across the country, including those in the State of Madhya Pradesh. The details of projects sanctioned under the aforementioned schemes by the Ministry of Tourism in the State of Madhya Pradesh, is given in the Annexure. Also, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), undertake, conservation, preservation and maintenance of monuments and sites declared protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958. Further, ASI provide amenities for visitors in the protected monuments/sites including those listed as World Heritage Properties. While ensuring a good state of preservation, ASI is committed to offering requisite amenities at protected monuments/ sites, subject to feasibility. The amenities include washrooms, drinking water, child care room, benches, pathways, garbage bins, signage, Sound & Light shows, illumination, souvenir shop, interpretation center, cafeteria, etc. ASI receives developmental proposal from various stakeholders including various ministries/departments of union/state governments under various centre or state-run scheme/project/program. Additionally, ASI launched the Adopt A Heritage 2.0 program, exclusively for protected monuments of national importance, to create a framework for engagement with private/public sector companies and NGOs/ Trusts/ Societies, etc., develop/provide a group of amenities at protected monuments to enhance visitors' experience and make them visitor-friendly. (b): As far as establishment of a dedicated tourism office to coordinate tourism development and facilitate visitors is concerned no proposal is currently under consideration for establishing an office at Khajuraho. However, the Ministry of Tourism has an India Tourism Office at Indore, Madhya Pradesh. (c) to (e): At present, no proposal specific to the development/upgradation of Light and Sound Show at the Khajuraho temple complex is under consideration in the Ministry of Tourism. Receiving proposals for tourism infrastructure development is a continuous process. The Proposals for seeking financial assistance for the development of the tourism infrastructure are formulated by the concernedStates and UTs. The proposals received are examined in accordance with the prescribed guidelines, and financial assistance is provided subject to fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds. Further, as informed by ASI the Sound and Light show at the Western Group of Temples, Khajuraho is operated by the Department of Tourism, Government of Madhya Pradesh (MP). The same has been upgraded recently by them installing the laser beam light, high digital volume sound system and other ancillary technical components. *****ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (A) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2467 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT OF HERITAGE DESTINATIONS RAISED BY SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA Details of projects sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India under its scheme of Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) in the State of Madhya Pradesh is as under: S. Name of the Project & Sanctioned Year Amount No. Sanctioned (in ₹ Crore) A Swadesh Darshan 1.0 i. Development of Wildlife Circuit at Panna- Mukundpur- 92.10 Sanjay- Dubri-Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Mukki- Pench (December 2015) ii. Development of Sanchi-Satna-Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar 74.02 (July 2016) iii. Development of Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho – 89.82 Chanderi – Bhimbetka – Mandu (September 2016) iv. Development of Gandhisagar Dam- Mandleshwar 93.76 Dam- Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi Dam- Bheda Ghat- Bansagar Dam- Ken River (September 2017) B Swadesh Darshan 2.0 i. Spiritual experience at Chitrakoot (March 2024) 27.22 ii. Phoolbagh Experience Zone (February 2024) 16.74 iii. Development of Pitambara Peeth Datia (July 2025) 44.24 C Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) i. Orchha A Medieval Splendour 2.0 (March 2025) 25.00 ii. Mandu-A Medieval Wonder (January 2026) 24.88 D Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) i. Development of Amarkantak (January 2021) 49.99 ii. Development of Omkareshwar (June 2017, revised 43.93 December 2022) ******