**Executive Summary**
This document presents the response of the Minister of Tourism to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha regarding the development of Bishwanath Ghat, Assam. The response clarifies that tourism development is primarily managed by the State Government/Union Territory Administration. The Ministry of Tourism supports these efforts through various Central Sector Schemes but currently, there is no proposal under consideration for the development of Bishwanath Ghat. The response was provided on February 2, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Tourism Development Responsibility:** The development and promotion of tourist destinations and tourism products are primarily the responsibility of the respective State Government/Union Territory Administration.
* **Ministry of Tourism's Role:** The Ministry of Tourism supports these efforts through its ongoing Central Sector Schemes:
* Swadesh Darshan (SD)
* Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0)
* Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) (a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0)
* Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)
* Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)
* Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACA)
* **Financial Assistance:** The Ministry provides financial assistance for tourism-related infrastructure development in consultation with States/UTs/Central Agencies.
* **Project Sanctioning:** The Ministry has sanctioned various projects for tourism infrastructure development in Assam, as detailed in the annexure (list of projects sanctioned by the ministry of Tourism in the State of Assam).
* **Proposal Requirements:** Proposals seeking financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development must be formulated by the concerned State/UT/Central Agency and are subject to prescribed guidelines, stipulated conditions, and availability of funds.
* **Bishwanath Ghat Status:** Currently, there is no proposal under consideration for the development of Bishwanath Ghat, Assam.
**Impact Analysis**
**Impact**
* **Bishwanath Ghat:** No immediate impact as there is no proposal under consideration. However, the potential for future development exists if a suitable proposal is submitted and meets the required criteria.
**Action Required**
* **State Government of Assam/UT Administration:** Must formulate and submit a proposal for the development of Bishwanath Ghat, adhering to the Ministry's guidelines and conditions, if they seek financial assistance from the Central Government.
**Impact**
* **Ministry of Tourism:** Continues to oversee and support tourism development initiatives through existing schemes.
**Action Required**
* **Ministry of Tourism:** Continue examining proposals received from the State/UT/Central Agency in accordance with the prescribed guidelines, and provide financial assistance subject to fulfillment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The central government ministry responsible for tourism policy and schemes mentioned in the document.
Swadesh Darshan: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.
PRASHAD: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive, a scheme by the Ministry of Tourism focusing on pilgrimage destinations.
Bishwanath Ghat, Assam: A location in Assam whose tourism development is the subject of the parliamentary question and response.
Assam: The state where the mentioned tourism development projects are located and where Bishwanath Ghat is located.
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
******