Parliament Question: Development of Integrated Tourism Circuits

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†38 ANSWERED ON 20.07.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF INTEGRATED TOURISM CIRCUITS †38. SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE: SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL: DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE: SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the details of the progress made in developing integrated tourism circuits with world-class infrastructure at major spiritual and cultural destinations across the country; (b) the details of the specific projects and facilities developed by the Government in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and their role in enhancing the visitors experience; (c) the manner in which this infrastructure-based approach is promoting domestic tourism, generating local employment and encouraging regional art, crafts and cuisine; and (d) the details of the strategy adopted by the Government for effectively promoting these destinations among both domestic and international tourists? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (d): Development of tourism infrastructure, amenities and experiences at tourist destinations is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism, under its various schemes such as Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), provides financial assistance for the development of tourism infrastructure and experiences across the country including spiritual and cultural destinations.The aforementioned schemes adopt an integrated, inclusive, destination-centric and sustainable approach to tourism infrastructure development by creating state of the art infrastructure, improving accessibility and last-mile connectivity, enhancing interpretation and convenience facilities. The interventions under the aforementioned schemes seek to enhance visitor experiences, generate employment opportunities and strengthen local economies thereby encouraging and promoting regional art, crafts and cuisine. Further, under the 'Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas' under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0, the Ministry supports community-based tourism through homestay development, capacity building and promotion of sustainable tourism practices. The list of projects sanctioned under these schemes in the State of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra is annexed. The Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing endeavour promotes various tourism destinations and products of the country including spiritual and cultural destinations among domestic and international tourists/visitors through promotional activities such as events, website, social media promotions, fairs and festivals, etc. *****ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†38 ANSWERED ON 20.07.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF INTEGRATED TOURISM CIRCUITS RAISED BY SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE, SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL, DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE AND SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM: List of projects sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India under Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) and Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme in the State of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra is as under: (i) Madhya Pradesh S.No. Name of the Project & Sanctioned Year Amount Sanctioned (in ₹ Crore) A Swadesh Darshan 1.0 I. Development of Wildlife Circuit at Panna- 92.10 Mukundpur- Sanjay- Dubri-Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Mukki- Pench (December 2015) II. Development of Sanchi-Satna-Rewa-Mandsaur- 74.02 Dhar (July 2016) III. Development of Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho – 89.82 Chanderi – Bhimbetka – Mandu (September 2016) IV. Development of Gandhisagar Dam- Mandleshwar 93.76 Dam- Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi Dam- Bheda Ghat- Bansagar Dam- Ken River (September 2017) B Swadesh Darshan 2.0 I. Spiritual experience at Chitrakoot (March 2024) 27.22 II. Phoolbagh Experience Zone (February 2024) 16.74 III. Development of Pitambara Peeth Datia (July 44.24 2025) C Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) I. Orchha A Medieval Splendour 2.0 (March 2025) 25.00 II. Mandu-A Medieval Wonder (January 2026) 24.88D Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) I. Development of Amarkantak (January 2021) 49.99 II. Development of Omkareshwar (June 2017, rev 43.93 December 2022) E Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 I. Development of Tribal Homestays in Karanjiya 5.00 and Pushparajgarh clusters (March 2026) (ii) Maharashtra S.No. Name of the Project & Sanctioned Year Sanction Cost (in ₹ Crore) A Swadesh Darshan 1.0 I. Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit - 19.06 Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek), Mitbhav (March 2016) ii. Development of Waki- Adasa- Dhapewada- 45.47 Paradsingha- Telankhandi- Girad (May 2018) B Swadesh Darshan 2.0 i. Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park- Phase 3, Pune 75.47 (September 2024, revised May 2026) C Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) i. Development of Ahmednagar Fort (March 2025) 25.00 D Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) i. Development of Trimbakeshwar, Nashik (January 45.41 2018, revised February 2025) *****