Parliament Question: Development of Bishwanath Ghat, Assam

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†426 ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF BISHWANATH GHAT, ASSAM †426. SHRI RANJIT DUTTA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps for the development of Bishwanath Ghat in Assam which was awarded the title of India’s Best Tourism Village in 2023;

(b) the details of approved infrastructure and connectivity projects in the area to promote sustainable tourism;

(c) whether the Government proposes to include Bishwanath Ghat under any specific tourism scheme or circuit such as Swadesh Darshan or PRASHAD;

(d) the details of the measures taken/being taken for local employment generation and the conservation of the cultural and natural heritage of Bishwanath Ghat; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): The development and promotion of tourist destinations and tourism products is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/ Union Territory (UT) Administration.

The Ministry of Tourism, through its ongoing Central Sector Schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan

2.0 scheme, ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive

(PRASHAD)’, ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism InfrastructureDevelopment(ACA)’ supplements the efforts of the States/UTs/Central Agencies by providing financial assistance for the development of tourism related infrastructure in consultation with them.

The Ministry of Tourism under these schemes has sanctioned various projects for tourism infrastructure development in the State of Assam, the details of which is at annexure.

Under aforementioned schemes, the Ministry seeks to develop tourism infrastructure in a holistic and sustainable manner with the objective of boosting tourism, conserving local culture, generating employment and strengthening the local economy.

Proposals for seeking financial assistance for the development of the tourism infrastructure are formulated by the concerned State/UT/Central Agency. 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.

At present, there is no proposal under consideration for the development of Bishwanath Ghat, Assam. *******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†426 ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF BISHWANATH GHAT, ASSAM RAISED BY SHRI RANJIT DUTTA List of projects sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism in the State of

Assam:

Scheme S. Name of Project Sanction Sanction Cost No. Year (₹ in Crore) Swadesh i. Development of Manas– Probitora– 2015 94.68 Darshan 1.0 Nameri– Kaziranga– Dibru– Saikhowa ii. Development of Tezpur – Majuli – 2017 90.98 Sibsagar Total Sanction Cost 185.66 Swadesh i. Kokrajhar Wetland Experience 2024 26.67 Darshan 2.0 ii. Reimagining Cinnamara Tea 2024 23.88 Estate Experience in Jorhat Total Sanction Cost 50.56 Challenge i. Panidhing Bird Sanctuary, 2025 9.99 Based Sivasagar Destination Total Sanction Cost 9.99 Development

(CBDD) PRASHAD i. Development of Kamakhya 2015 29.80 Temple and Pilgrimage Destination in and around Guwahati Total Sanction Cost 29.80 Special i. Assam State Zoo Cum Botanical 2024 97.12 Assistance to Garden in Guwahati States for ii. Beautification of Rang Ghar in 2024 94.76 Capital Sivasagar Investment Total Sanction Cost 191.88

(SASCI) Assistance to i. Development of Jetties at 9 main 2020 28.03 Central points of Agencies for embarkation/disembarkation of Tourism River Cruize on National Water Infrastructure ways No. 1 & 2 Development ii. Kamakhya Railway Station 2018 4.96

(ACA) iii. Guwahati Railway Station 2018 4.99 Total Sanctioned cost 37.98 Total Central Assistance 505.87 ******