Parliament Question: Development of Industrial Tourism in Ramagundam and Bellampalli

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.204 ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025 DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL TOURISM IN RAMAGUNDAM AND BELLAMPALLI 204. SHRI VAMSI KRISHNA GADDAM: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any plans to promote industrial tourism at key sites such as the NTPC Ramagundam Thermal Power Plant and coal mining operations in Bellampalli and if so, the proposed timeline and current status of its implementation; (b) the details of the funds allocated and utilised for developing infrastructure like guided tours, visitor centres, and educational exhibits at these locations during the last five years; (c) whether any steps have been taken to position Ramagundam and Bellampalli as educational and research hubs for students and professionals in energy, mining and engineering fields and if so, the outcomes of such initiatives; and (d) whether the Government, in coordination with other departments, has planned any connectivity upgrades (such as roads, signage, public transport) to improve tourist access to these industrial destinations and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (d): Development and promotion of tourism destinations and products is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government (SG)/Union Territory Administration (UTA). The Ministry of Tourism is not operating any separate scheme for development of industrial tourism. However, the Ministry through its existing schemes provides financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations for development of tourism infrastructure and experiences in the country.The Ministry launched its Swadesh Darshan scheme in 2014-15 with the idea to develop tourism infrastructure under identified thematic circuits and sanctioned 76 projects in the country. The scheme has now been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations and the Ministry has sanctioned 53 projects under this initiative in the country. Further, Ministry has also sanctioned projects under ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’, a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan scheme. In addition, the Government of India under its ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ sanctioned 40 projects in 23 States for Rs.3295.76 Crore in the country in Financial Year 2024-25, with the primary objective to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding and marketing them at global scale. The details of the projects sanctioned under SD, SD2.0, PRASHAD, CBDD and SASCI schemes in the state of Telangana is annexed. The Ministry of Tourism envisages the importance of better connectivity to various tourism destinations in the country and regularly interacts with concerned line Ministries in this regard. The institutional framework in multiple schemes operated by the Ministry also involves participation of various line Ministries. The Ministry has also put in place a system of training and professional education, with necessary infrastructure support, capable of generating sufficient manpower to meet the needs of tourism and hospitality industry. Accordingly, Institute of Hotel Managements have been set up in the country including in Telangana. The Ministry of Tourism works closely with the Ministry of Coal to explore the potential for development of tourism activities. *****ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.204 ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRAIL TOURISM IN RAMAGUNDAM AND BELLAMPALLI RAISED BY SHRI VAMSI KRISHNA GADDAM (i) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the State of Telangana: (Amount in Crore) S. Circuit / Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount Amount No. Sanction Cost Released/ Utilized Year Authorized 1. Integrated Development of Eco-Tourism Circuit in Mahaboobnagar District Eco (Somasila – Singotam – Circuit Akka Mahadevi – Kadali 91.62 91.25 91.25 2015-16 Vanam –Uma Maheshwaram – Farahabad – Mallelatheertham – Srisailam) 2. Development of Mulugu- Tribal Laknavaram- Circuit Medavaram- Tadvai- 79.87 79.87 79.87 2016-17 Damaravi- Mallur- Bogatha Waterfalls 3. Development of Qutub Heritage Shahi Heritage Park- Circuit Paigah Tombs- Hayat 96.90 70.61 70.61. 2017-18 Bakshi Mosque- Raymond's Tomb (ii) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in the State of Telangana: (Amount in ₹Crore) S. Year of Destination Name of the Sanctioned Amount No. Sanction Experience Cost Authorized for utilization by Implementing Agency1. 2023-24 Bhongir Bhongir Fort 56.82 5.68 Experiential Zone Bhongir 2. 2023-24 Anantagiri Eco-Tourism 38.01 3.8 Experience Ananthagiri (iii) Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme in the State of Telangana: (Amount in ₹Crore) S. Year of Name of the Project Category Sanctioned Amount No. Sanction Cost Authorized for utilization by Implementing Agency 1. 2024-25 Development of Culture & 24.85 2.48 digital experience Heritage centre at Bhuddhavanam, Nalgonda under Culture & Heritage 2. 2024-25 Development of Eco- Ecotourism 9.98 1.00 Tourism Project at and Amrit Nizam Sagar, Dharohar Kamareddy under Sites Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites (iv) Details of Project sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme in the State of Telangana: (Amount in ₹Crore) S. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount No. Sanction Cost Released for utilization 1. 2024-25 Ramappa Region Sustainable 73.74 93.61 Tourism Circuit in Ramappa 2. 2024-25 Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual 68.10 Retreat” in Nallamala(v) Details of Project sanctioned under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme in the State of Telangana: (Amount in ₹Crore) S. Project Name Sanction Sanction Amount Amount No. Year Amount Released Utilized 1. Development of Jogulamba 2020-21 38.90 33.07 33.07 Devi Temple, Alampur 2. Development of Pilgrimage 2022-23 62.00 32.73 32.73 and Heritage Tourism Infrastructure at Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Mulugu 3. Development of Pilgrimage 2022-23 41.38 8.43 8.43 Infrastructure at Bhadrachalam, Kotthagudem 4. Development of Basic 2024-25 4.22 -- -- Amenities at goddess Renuka Yellama Devasthanam, Balkampet, Hyderabad *****