**Executive Summary**
The document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2462, answered on December 15, 2025, regarding the development of Hindu and Sikh pilgrimage sites in Himachal Pradesh. The Ministry of Tourism complements the efforts of the State Government/UT Administrations through Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes. Projects sanctioned in Himachal Pradesh under these schemes are listed in the Annexure.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Ministry of Tourism's Role:**
* The Ministry complements state efforts via Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes by extending financial assistance.
* The Ministry monitors project progress and encourages timely completion.
* **Project Implementation & Sustainability:**
* States/UTs implement projects and formulate Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) in consultation with local stakeholders.
* DPRs include sustainable operation and maintenance plans.
* State Government/UT Administrations ensure the sustainability of completed projects.
* The projects are intended to increase tourist footfall and improve the overall tourist experience.
* **Sanctioned Projects (Annexure):**
* **Swadesh Darshan Scheme:**
* Development of Himalayan Circuit (2016-17): Rs. 45.41 Crore (Sanctioned), Rs. 68.34 Crore (Released) - Complete.
* **Swadesh Darshan 2.0:**
* Development of MaaChintpurni Devi Temple, Una (2024-25): Rs. 56.26 Crore (Sanctioned), Rs. 5.63 Crore (Authorised) - Ongoing.
* **Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD):**
* Tourism Infrastructure Development at Kaza (2024-25): Rs. 24.82 Crore (Sanctioned), Rs. 2.48 Crore (Authorised) - Ongoing.
* Tourism Infrastructure Development at Rakchham, Chhitkul (2024-25): Rs. 4.96 Crore (Sanctioned), Rs. 0.50 Crore (Authorised) - Ongoing.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government/UT Administrations:**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing projects, formulating DPRs, and ensuring project sustainability.
* **Action Required:** Complete projects in a time-bound manner, consult with stakeholders for DPR creation, ensure sustainable operation and maintenance of completed projects.
**Local Communities, Faith Bodies, and Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation:**
* **Impact:** Involved in the consultation process for DPR formulation and are stakeholders in the sustainable upkeep of pilgrimage sites.
* **Action Required:** Participate in consultations for DPR creation, contribute to the sustainable operation and maintenance of projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: Central government ministry responsible for tourism development, including schemes like Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD.
Himachal Pradesh: Indian state, focus of the Lok Sabha question regarding the development of Hindu and Sikh pilgrimage sites and tourism infrastructure.
Swadesh Darshan: Central scheme for the development of tourism infrastructure, including pilgrimage sites.
PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive): A scheme complements the efforts of the State Governments for developing tourism related infrastructure.
Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD): Central scheme for destination development.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2462
ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF HINDU AND SIKH
PILGRIMAGE SITES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
2462.SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the details of all Central schemes and budgetary allocations for
development of Hindu and Sikh pilgrimage centres in Mandi, Kangra,
Una, Bilaspur and Hamirpur districts of Himachal Pradesh during the
last three years;
(b) the present status of physical works under each scheme, with timelines
for completion of temple renovation, gurudwara infrastructure,
approach roads, parking facilities and rest amenities and other project
work;
(c) the details of the amounts sanctioned, district and project-wise;
(d) the details of engagement with local communities, faith bodies and
Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation to ensure
sustainable upkeep; and
(e) the details of the expected increase in annual pilgrim footfall and
tourism revenue on completion of the projects?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c): The Ministry of Tourism through its ongoing schemes of Swadesh
Darshan and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation
Drive (PRASHAD)’ complements the efforts of the State Governments
(SGs)/UT Administrations (UTs) by extending financial assistance to them for
developing tourism related infrastructure in the country, including the State
of Himachal Pradesh.The details of the projects sanctioned in Himachal Pradesh along with
their status under the Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and
Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), are given in the
Annexure.
The projects under these schemes are implemented by the respective
States/UTs. However, the Ministry of Tourism regularly monitors the
progress of project and also encourages respective State Government/UT
Administrations to complete the projects in a time bound manner.
(d) and (e): In accordance with the Scheme Guidelines respective State
Government/UT administration formulates comprehensive Detailed Project
Report (DPR) for projects in consultations with the respective administration,
local bodies and other stakeholders. The DPR submitted to the Ministry of
Tourism also incorporates sustainable operation and maintenance plans for
the proposed projects.
The sustainability of the completed projects including operation and
maintenance is ensured by the respective State Government/UT
Administration. The infrastructure development projects of the Ministry of
Tourism aims to increase the footfall and overall tourist experience, among
others.
*******ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.2462 ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT
OF HINDU AND SIKH PILGRIMAGE SITES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH RAISED BY
SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR
List of Sanctioned Projects under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in Himachal
Pradesh
Sr. Circuit/ Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount Status
No. Sanction Cost (Rs. in Released
Year Crore) (Rs. in
Crore)
1. Himalay Development of 45.41 68.34 Complete
an Himalayan Circuit:
Circuit Kiarighat, Shimla,
2016-17 Hatkoti, Manali,
Kangra, Dharamshala,
Bir, Palampur, Chamba
List of Sanctioned Projects under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 in Himachal Pradesh
Sr. Sanction Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount Status
No. Year Cost Authorized
(Rs. Crore) (Rs. Crore)
1. 2024-25 Development of 56.26 5.63 Ongoing
MaaChintpurni Devi
Temple, Una
List of Sanctioned Projects under CBDD in Himachal Pradesh
Sr. Sanction Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount Status
No. Year Cost Authorized
(Rs. Crore) (Rs. Crore)
1. 2024-25 Tourism Infrastructure 24.82 2.48 Ongoing
Development at Kaza
2. 2024-25 Tourism Infrastructure 4.96 0.50 Ongoing
Development at
Rakchham, Chhitkul
*****