Parliament Question: Development of Ashtavinayak Temples of Lenyadri and Ozar

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5968 ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF ASHTAVINAYAK TEMPLES OF LENYADRI AND OZAR

5968. DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has designated the Ashtavinayak temples of Lenyadri and Ozar as part of the 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme' for holistic infrastructure development;

(b) the details of the 'Swadesh Darshan 2.0' projects aimed at developing Agri-Tourism and Mountaineering in the Junnar region, which was declared the first 'Tourism Tehsil' of Maharashtra; and

(c) the details of central support available for the branding of the 'Pune- Narayangaon-Junnar' circuit as a world-class destination for weekend tourism and heritage treks? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a): Development and promotion of tourist destinations is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/ Union Territory (UT) Administration. Ministry of Tourism under its Scheme “Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive” (PRASHAD) provides financial assistance to the State Governments (SGs) and Union Territory Administrations (UTAs) for development of tourism related infrastructure at identified religious and heritage sites across the country including the State of Maharashtra. This process is undertaken in consultation with State Governments (SGs)/UT Administrations (UTs).

The Ministry of Tourism has not sanctioned any project at the Ashtavinayak temples of Lenyadri Ganpati Temple and Vighneshwar Temple Ozar under the PRASHAD Scheme. However, the details ofprojects sanctioned under the PRASHAD Scheme in the State of Maharashtra are placed at Annexure-I.

(b): Ministry of Tourism under its various schemes including ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’ and ‘Challenge Based Destination Development – CBDD’ (an initiative under 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. The above-mentioned schemes are approved till March,

2026.

In addition, Government of India in 2024-25 under Special assistance to States for capital investment scheme (SASCI)- Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale, sanctioned the project ‘INS-Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial Reef, and submarine Tourism in Sindhudurg’ for ₹46.91 Crore and ‘Development of RAM-KAL PATH in Nashik’ for ₹99.14 Crore in the State of Maharashtra.

Presently, no proposal is under consideration for development of tourism projects in the Junnar Region under the above schemes.

The details of the projects sanctioned under SD, SD2.0 and CBDD schemes in the state of Maharashtra, as mentioned above, are placed at Annexure-II.

(c): The Ministry endeavours to position India as a preferred tourism destination in the tourism generating markets to promote various tourism products and destinations and to increase India’s share in the global tourism market. The objectives are met through an integrated marketing and promotional strategy and a synergized campaign in association with the Travel Trade, State Governments and Indian Missions overseas.

*******ANNEXURE-I STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5968 ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF ASHTAVINAYAK TEMPLES OF LENYADRI AND OZAR RAISED BY DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE Details of the project sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in the State of Maharashtra Sr. Name of the Project Amount Sanctioned No. (Rs. In Crore)

1. Development of Trimbakeshwar, 45.41 Nashik *****ANNEXURE-II STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5968 ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF ASHTAVINAYAK TEMPLES OF LENYADRI AND OZAR RAISED BY DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE Details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, & CBDD schemes in the state of Maharashtra Sr. Scheme Name of the Project Amount Sanctioned No. (Rs. In Crore)

1. SD Development of Sindhudurg 19.06 Coastal Circuit - Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek), Mitbhav

2. Development of Waki- Adasa- 45.47 Dhapewada- Paradsingha- Telankhandi- Girad

3. SD2.0 Shivshrusthi Theme Park 76.22

4. CBDD Development of Ahmednagar 25.00 Fort ******