Parliament Question: Development of Mahatma Vidur Kutir

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2529 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF MAHATMA VIDUR KUTIR †2529. SHRI CHANDAN CHAUHAN: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that requisite tourism infrastructure is lacking at the historically and mythologically important Mahatma Vidur Kutir in Bijnor district, despite the immense potential for religious and cultural tourism; (b) the details of funds approved/sanctioned and utilised by the Government for the development of Mahatma Vidur Kutir during the last five years; (c) whether the Government is considering any special project or scheme to develop Mahatma Vidur Kutir as a major spiritual and heritage tourism destination; and (d) if so, the details thereof and the proposed timeline therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (d): Identification and development of tourism infrastructure, amenities and experiences at tourist destinations including places of historical, cultural and religious significance such as Mahatma Vidur Kutir in Bijnor district is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government/UT 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 related infrastructure and experiences across the country, including those in the State of Uttar Pradesh. At present, no proposal specific to the development of Mahatma Vidur Kutir in Bijnor district is under consideration in the Ministry.However, receiving proposals for tourism infrastructure development is a continuous process. The Proposals for seeking financial assistance for the development of the tourism infrastructure are formulated by the concerned States and UTs. 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. The details of projects sanctioned under the aforementioned schemes in the State of Uttar Pradesh, is given in the Annexure. *****ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2529 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF MAHATMA VIDUR KUTIR RAISED BY SHRI CHANDAN CHAUHAN 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) and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) schemes in the State of Uttar Pradesh is as under: S. Name of the Project and Sanction Year Sanction No. Cost (in ₹ Crore) A Swadesh Darshan Scheme i. Development of Buddhist Circuit in Srawasti, 87.89 Kushinagar & Kapilwastu (Sep 2016) ii. Development of Chitrakoot and Shringverpur under 69.45 Ramayana Circuit (Oct 2021) iii. Development of Spiritual Circuit in Shahjahanpur- 71.91 Basti- Ahar-Aligarh-Kasganj-Sarosi-Pratapgarh- Unnao-Kaushambi- Mirzapur-Gorakhpur- Kairana- Domaryaganj- Baghpat-Barabanki- Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh (Nov 2016) iv. Development of Spiritual Circuit in Bijnor- Meerut- 67.51 Kanpur- Kanpur Dehat- Banda- Ghazipur- Salempur- Ghosi- Balia- Ambedkar Nagar- Aligarh- Fatehpur- Deoria- Mahoba- Sonbhadra- Chandauli- Mishrikh- Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh (Dec 2016) v. Development of Heritage Circuit in Kalinjar Fort 36.65 (Banda)- Maghar Dham (Sant Kabir Nagar)- Chauri Chaura, Shaheed Sthal (Fatehpur)- Mauhar Sthal (Ghosi)- Shaheed Smarak (Meerut) (Dec 2016) vi. Development of Ayodhya under Ramayana Circuit 127.21 (Sep 2017) vii. Development of Spiritual Circuit in Jewar-Dadri- 12.03 Sikandrabad-Noida-Khurja-Banda (July 2018) viii. Development of Spiritual Circuit in Gorakhnath 18.30 Temple (Gorakhpur), Devipattan Temple(Balrampur) and Vatvashni Temple (Domariyagunj) (Jan 2019) ix. Development of Wayside Amenities in Uttar 17.50 Pradesh and Bihar (June 2018) B Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme i. Vedic Wellness Experience, Naimisharanya, Uttar 17.80 Pradesh (March 2024) ii. Azad Park and Dekho Prayagraj Trail Experience 14.52 (March 2024) C Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme i. Development of Cultural Landscape at Mahoba 24.98 (March 2025) D Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme i. Development of Varanasi – Phase –I (March 2016, 18.73 revised March 2023) ii. Development of Mathura-Vrindavan as Mega 10.98 Tourist Circuit (Ph-II) (March 2015, revised October 2022) iii. Development of River Cruise Tourism in Varanasi, 9.02 Uttar Pradesh (November 2017, revised October 2022) iv. Construction of Tourist Facilitation Centre at 9.36 Vrindavan (March 2015, revised December 2019) v. Development of Varanasi – Phase –II (February 44.60 2018, revised December 2018) vi. Development of Infrastructure facilities at 37.59 Govardhan (January 2019, revised January 2024) ******