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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5037
ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026
DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF
BUDDHIST TOURISM CIRCUITS
5037. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the current status of Buddhist tourism circuit, as envisaged under
the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, including the number of identified
Buddhist heritage sites being developed along with the Central
Financial Assistance (CFA) allocated for infrastructure
upgradation, interpretation centres and tourist amenities;
(b) the details of initiatives taken by the Government to promote inter-
State and international connectivity among major Buddhist
pilgrimage destinations such as Sarnath, Kushinagar, Shravasti,
Kapilvastu, Bodh Gaya and Rajgir to attract domestic and foreign
tourists;
(c) the details of annual domestic and international tourist footfall at
principal Buddhist Circuit destinations in India, particularly in Bihar
along with associated economic and employment impact; and
(d) the details of specific measures to enhance tourism-related
employment, capacity building of tourist guides and sustainable
heritage conservation to elevate India’s position as a premier global
Buddhist tourism hub?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d): Development and promotion of tourism destinations and
products, including Buddhist pilgrimage destination, is primarily
undertaken by the concerned State Governments (SGs)/Union Territory
Administrations (UTAs). 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 SD2.0 and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage
Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ complements the efforts of tourism
infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State
Governments/UT Administrations; subject to adherence to scheme
guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), availability of
funds, Government directions, inter-se priority etc.
The Ministry had launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS) in
2014-15 for integrated development of tourism infrastructure under
identified thematic circuits, including the Buddhist Circuit. Under the
Scheme, projects were sanctioned across different States with a total
outlay of ₹5290.33 crore and have been implemented in accordance with
the scheme guidelines.
In addition, Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special
Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of
Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ scheme, has also provided
financial assistance to the States in the year 2024-25 for development of
tourism projects.
The details of projects sanctioned under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD
and SASCI schemes at Buddhist sites across India, are placed at
Annexure-I.
The Ministry undertakes promotion of tourism destinations of the
country, including Buddhist sites, through various ongoing initiatives such
as participation in domestic and international travel exhibitions and fairs,
organisation of familiarisation (FAM) tours, stakeholder engagement,
support to States/UTs for organising fairs and festivals, and digital
outreach through official platforms.
The Ministry also engages with neighbouring countries such as
Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Thailand under the framework of
international tourism cooperation, including for promotion of Buddhist
tourism.Connectivity to major Buddhist destinations such as Kushinagar,
Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali, Sarnath and Shravasti has been
augmented through development of air, rail and road infrastructure by the
concerned Ministries/Agencies. The international airport at Kushinagar
has facilitated improved air connectivity for pilgrims, while road
connectivity has been strengthened through National Highways
developed by the concerned authorities. Theme-based tourist trains are
also operated covering important Buddhist destinations, including links
with Lumbini.
Ministry of Tourism compiles data on Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs)
and Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) based on information received from the
respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The
Ministry of Tourism does not maintain destination-wise data on the
economic and employment impact of tourism. However, the total number
of tourism jobs (direct and indirect) in the country for 2023-24 was 84.63
million. The total share of tourism in the country’s Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) for 2023-24 is estimated at 5.22%. The details of tourist visits in the
State of Bihar, which houses principal Buddhist destinations such as Bodh
Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, and Vaishali, and the other States/UTs of India
including in the state of Bihar during the last five years are placed at
Annexure-II.
Further, Ministry supports capacity building, skill development and
promotion of sustainable tourism practices through its ongoing
programmes, in coordination with the concerned stakeholders and in
accordance with the existing policy framework.
*******ANNEXURE-I
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.5037 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 REGARDING
DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF BUDDHIST TOURISM CIRCUITS
RAISED BY SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY
The details of projects sanctioned under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD and
SASCI schemes at Buddhist sites across India
S. State/UT Scheme Sanction Name of the Project Amount
No. Year Sanctioned
(₹ Crore)
1. A ndhra SD 2017-18 Development of 35.24
Pradesh Buddhist Circuit:
Shalihundam-
Bavikonda-
Bojjanakonda -
Amravati- Anupu
2. A ndhra CBDD 2024-25 Enriching Buddhist 25.00
Pradesh Heritage and Cultural
Experiences at
Nagarjuna Sagar at
Nagarjuna Sagar
3. A ndhra PRASHAD 2015-16 Development of 27.77
Pradesh Pilgrim Amenities at
Amaravati
4. B ihar SD 2016-17 Development of 95.18
Buddhist circuit-
Construction of
Convention Centre at
Bodhgaya
5. B ihar SD 2.0 2024-25 Buddhist Meditation & 165.44
Experience Centre in
Bodhgaya
6. Ch hattisgarh PRASHAD 2020-21 Development of Maa 48.44
Bamleshwari Devi
Temple, Dongargarh,Rajnandgaon District,
Chhattisgarh
7. G ujarat SD 2017-18 Development of 26.68
Junagadh- Gir
Somnath- Bharuch-
Kutch- Bhavnagar-
Rajkot- Mehsana
8. M adhya SD 2016-17 Development of 74.02
Pradesh Sanchi-Satna-Rewa-
Mandsaur-Dhar
9. S ikkim PRASHAD 2020-21 Development of 33.32
Pilgrimage
Facilitation at Four
Patron Saints,
Yuksom
10. U ttar SD 2016-17 Development of 87.89
Pradesh Srawasti, Kushinagar,
&Kapilwastu
11. U ttar PRASHAD 2015-16 Development of 18.73
Pradesh Varanasi
12. U ttar SASCI 2024-25 Integrated Buddhist 80.24
Pradesh Tourism Development
in Shrawasti
13. T elangana CBDD 2024-25 Buddhavanam – 24.85
Development of
Digital Experience
Centre
*******ANNEXURE-II
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5037 ANSWERED ON
23.03.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF BUDDHIST TOURISM CIRCUITS RAISED BY
SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY
State wise Domestic and Foreign Tourist Visits (DTV & FTV) during 2021-2025
States/UTs 2021 2021 2022 2022 2023 2023 2024 2024 2025 2025
DTV FTV DTV FTV DTV FTV DTV FTV (DTV) (FTV)
Andaman 126,238 1,687 235,061 4,461 323,189 9,025 710,397 11,497 722,922 10,179
& Nicobar
Islands
Andhra 93,277,56 27,551 192,716,7 165,84 254,706,32 60,42 290,266,45 262,43 333,827,7 226,31
Pradesh 9 21 5 8 6 2 1 59 1
Arunachal 102,915 182 222,437 1,055 1,040,601 4,496 869,912 4,714 794,190 4,288
Pradesh
Assam 1,409,16 536 8,382,003 9,001 7,612,720 23,81 7,608,16 27,170 9,102,89 32,042
1 8 9 0
Bihar 2,501,19 1,046 25,330,36 86,82 81,585,701 546,5 65,463,3 736,72 68,223,78 619,44
3 4 9 76 04 0 3 7
Chandigarh 228,809 5,451 3,027,165 28,43 365,591 31,49 998,605 39,058 2,357,90 11,096
9 8 9
Chhattisgarh 4,747,417 8 23,636,291 238 26,022,069 953 31,487,900 3,485 33,396,1 926
38
Dadra 661,222 185 799,602 1,791 1,004,327 4,048 1,358,901 2,626 3,856,126 9,099
Nagar
Haveli &States/UTs 2021 2021 2022 2022 2023 2023 2024 2024 2025 2025
DTV FTV DTV FTV DTV FTV DTV FTV (DTV) (FTV)
Daman &
Diu
Delhi 10,642,4 100,1 27,186,20 815,7 39,414,6 1,828, 46,257,0 1,999, 46,257,0 1,999,
77 78 9 13 22 116 00 410 00 410
Goa 3,308,08 22,12 7,011,992 174,7 8,175,46 452,6 9,941,28 467,91 10,314,5 551,27
9 8 99 0 92 6 1 48 2
Gujarat 24,525,2 11,31 135,811,3 1,777, 178,066, 2,806, 184,014, 2,274, 217,075, 2,351,
10 9 25 215 579 871 075 477 988 261
Haryana 2,025,45 4,578 2,108,496 2,439 2,012,16 1,346 1,892,25 543 1,718,01 1,007
0 2 1 9
Himachal 5,632,27 4,932 15,070,94 29,33 15,942,1 62,80 18,041,9 82,765 13,350,7 81,570
Pradesh 0 4 3 18 6 29 48
Jammu & 11,314,9 1,650 18,499,33 19,98 20,679,3 55,33 23,012,7 65,452 17,604,4 39,306
Kashmir 20 2 5 36 7 07 03
Jharkhand 3,383,64 1,637 38,284,37 192,3 35,776,1 189,26 54,040,7 45,273 62,650,3 13,616
2 9 19 02 1 89 54
Karnataka 81,333,6 72,487 182,413,2 128,5 284,120, 409,3 304,563, 485,20 296,080, 500,21
59 03 20 502 33 569 4 878 9
Kerala 7,537,61 60,487 18,867,41 345,5 21,871,6 649,0 22,246,9 738,37 24,337,0 793,30
7 4 49 41 57 89 4 46 0
Lakshadw 13,500 4 22,844 125 45,796 755 67,430 898 61,252 628
eep
Madhya 25,554,0 41,60 35,848,78 204,4 111,946, 182,6 133,176, 167,53 152,603, 187,94
Pradesh 67 1 1 54 409 85 410 5 121 0
Maharashtra 43,569,2 185,6 111,297,6 1,511, 161,359, 3,387, 189,371, 3,705, 189,371, 3,705,
38 43 24 623 527 739 541 170 541 170States/UTs 2021 2021 2022 2022 2023 2023 2024 2024 2025 2025
DTV FTV DTV FTV DTV FTV DTV FTV (DTV) (FTV)
Manipur 49,371 648 139,518 3,908 57,701 3,668 29,102 2,518 25,281 2,892
Meghalaya 154,409 411 937,091 7,774 1,402,624 20,023 1,585,535 23,075 1,805,108 10,439
Mizoram 87,232 234 218,420 2,611 209,122 3,754 421,888 5,414 715,568 11,319
Nagaland 23,968 325 97,431 2,923 99,720 4,725 125,516 5,623 125,975 5,384
Odisha 3,742,22 2,269 7,867,909 22,12 9,725,18 45,17 10,998,8 87,854 12,553,9 59,683
1 1 4 3 19 62
Puducherry 1,253,21 321 1,760,480 862 2,092,07 31,21 2,119,79 17,819 2,281,34 28,284
3 6 4 2 9
Punjab 26,640,4 308,1 26,089,42 329,4 35,707,6 741,7 27,745,1 541,78 33,526,1 256,10
29 35 5 58 00 34 83 4 97 6
Rajasthan 21,988,7 34,80 108,328,1 396,6 179,051, 1,699, 230,084, 2,072, 252,290, 1,944,
34 6 56 84 925 869 198 407 010 329
Sikkim 511,669 11,50 1,625,573 68,64 1,321,16 93,90 1,540,42 84,820 2,827,41 101,82
8 5 9 8 1 2 7
Tamil 115,336, 57,62 218,584,8 407,1 286,011, 1,174, 306,842, 1,161, 357,095, 1,545,
Nadu 719 2 46 26 515 899 014 302 556 988
Tripura 177,816 5 235,600 8,493 366,104 66,708 600,651 90,824 681,103 27,320
Telengana 32,000,6 5,917 60,748,42 68,40 58,447,5 160,9 88,239,6 155,31 83,460,0 169,38
20 5 1 73 12 75 3 03 0
Uttar 109,708, 44,73 317,913,5 648,9 478,525, 1,601, 646,807, 2,269, 1,545,54 4,529,
Pradesh 435 7 87 86 688 503 146 067 8,242 606
Uttarakhand 19,434,4 8,532 54,642,55 61,561 57,570,5 143,0 60,849,0 139,37 61,573,1 159,41
75 9 78 27 60 5 70 2States/UTs 2021 2021 2022 2022 2023 2023 2024 2024 2025 2025
DTV FTV DTV FTV DTV FTV DTV FTV (DTV) (FTV)
West 24,325,9 34,82 84,542,19 1,037, 145,669, 2,706, 184,475, 3,124, 294,318, 3,996,
Bengal 84 8 5 017 292 942 527 462 520 141
Ladakh 303,023 1,054 510,137 21,259 489,059 36,315 336,682 39,704 306,188 32,121
Total 677,632, 1,054 1,731,013 8,587, 2,508,81 19,24 2,948,19 20,942 4,132,84 24,018
981 ,642 ,539 562 7,710 1,212 0,825 ,074 0,259 ,318
*****