Executive Summary:
This document outlines the Indian Ministry of Tourism's response to a question regarding the potential development of the Munabao border as a tourist destination. While the Ministry supports tourism development through various central sector schemes, no specific proposal is currently under consideration for Munabao. The document also provides an annexure detailing tourism projects sanctioned in Rajasthan under various schemes.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Government Response:**
* The development and promotion of tourist destinations are primarily the responsibility of State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations.
* The Ministry of Tourism complements these efforts through financial assistance under central sector schemes.
* Currently, there is no proposal to develop the Munabao border as a tourist destination.
* The Ministry promotes tourist destinations, including those in border areas, through promotional activities.
* **Central Sector Schemes for Tourism Development:**
* Swadesh Darshan (SD)
* Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)
* Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)
* Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)
* Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA) for Tourism Infrastructure Development
* Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)
* **Rajasthan Tourism Projects (Annexure):**
* **Swadesh Darshan Scheme:**
* Desert Circuit: Development of Sambhar Lake Town and other Destinations (₹50.01 Crore, 2015-16).
* Krishna Circuit: Development of Govind Dev ji temple Jaipur, KhatuShyam Ji Sikar and Nathdwara (₹75.80 Crore, 2016-17).
* Spiritual Circuit: Development of Spiritual Circuit (₹87.05 Crore, 2016-17).
* Heritage Circuit: Development of Heritage Circuit Development (₹70.61 Crore, 2017-18).
* **PRASHAD Scheme:**
* Integrated Development of PushkarAjmer (₹32.64 Crores, 2015-16).
* **Assistance to Central Agencies Scheme:**
* Development of Border Tourism at Shri Tanot Complex, Jaisalmer (BSF, ₹17.68 Crore, 05.07.2022).
* Installation of Musical Fountain Water Screen Multimedia based projection show at NawalSagar Lake, Bundi (ITDC, ₹9.26 Crore, 04.10.2023).
* **Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme:**
* Bundi Spiritual Experience, Keshavraipatan (₹21.65 Crore, 2023-24).
* Development works at Shri KhatuShyam Ji Temple Sikar (₹87.87 Crore, 2024-25).
* Development Works at Shri Karnimatamandir, dist. Bikaner (₹22.57 Crore, 2024-25).
* Development of MalaseriDungri, Bhilwara District (₹48.73 Crore, 2024-25).
* **SASCI Scheme:**
* Development at AmberNahargarh and Surrounding Area in Jaipur (₹49.31 Crore, 2024-25).
* Development at Jalmahal in Jaipur (₹96.61 Crore, 2024-25).
Impact Analysis:
* **State Governments/UT Administrations:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for the development and promotion of tourist destinations, with potential for financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism.
* *Action Required:* Submit Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) adhering to scheme guidelines to avail financial assistance.
* **Ministry of Tourism:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for providing financial assistance and promoting tourist destinations.
* *Action Required:* Continue promoting tourist destinations through various channels and consider future proposals for developing specific sites like the Munabao border.
* **Central Agencies (e.g., BSF, ITDC):**
* *Impact:* Can receive financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development.
* *Action Required:* Adhere to scheme guidelines and submit DPRs for tourism projects.
* **Tourism Industry in Rajasthan:**
* *Impact:* Potential for growth and development through government-funded projects.
* *Action Required:* Monitor project developments and identify opportunities for collaboration and participation.
Key Entities Referenced
PRASHAD: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive, a central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism.
Rajasthan: A state in India where several tourism projects are being developed under various schemes.
SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL: Member of Parliament who raised the question about the development of Munabao border.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism who answered the question about the development of Munabao border.
Munabao border: A border area located at the India-Pakistan international border in the Barmer district of Rajasthan, proposed as a tourist destination.
Barmer district of Rajasthan: The district in Rajasthan where Munabao border is located.
Wagah Border: A border crossing between India and Pakistan, serving as a model for developing Munabao border as a tourist destination.
Swadesh Darshan: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for tourism infrastructure development.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2399
ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF MUNABAO BORDER AS A TOURIST DESTINATION
†2399. SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any plan to develop to Munabao border
located at the India-Pakistan international border in the Barmer
district of Rajasthan, as a tourist destination on the lines of Wagah
Border;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to include the activities like the
Beating Retreat ceremony, spectator galleries, museums and light
and sound shows to promote border tourism, national unity and
patriotic sentiment by developing the Munabao border; and
(d) if not, whether the Government is likely to consider tourism
development of this historically and strategically significant place in
near future?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and tourism
products is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/
Union Territory (UT) Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism
through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan(SD)’, ‘Swadesh
Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ –
a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual,
Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central
Agencies(ACA) for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ complements the
efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial
assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies;
subject to availability of funds, adherence to scheme guidelines,
submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by the State Government/
UT Administration/concerned Central Agency etc.In addition, Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special
Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ has also provided
financial assistance to the States for development of tourism projects.
The details of the projects sanctioned along-with funds allocated
under SD, SD2.0, PRASHAD, ACA and SASCI scheme in the state of
Rajasthan is Annexed.
Presently, no proposal is under the consideration in the Ministry of
Tourism to develop the Munabao border, located at the India-Pakistan
international border in Barmer district of Rajasthan, as a tourist
destination on the lines of the Wagah Border.
The Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing promotional activities
regularly promotes various tourist destinations and tourism products of the
country, including those in border areas in the international and domestic
markets through social media, promotional websites, events etc.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.+2399 ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025 REGARDING
DEVELOPMENT OF MUNABAO BORDER AS A TOURIST DESTINATION
RAISED BY SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL
Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the State
of Rajasthan:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Circuit / Name of the Project Sanctioned
No. Sanction Cost
Year
1 Desert Development of Sambhar Lake Town and 50.01
Circuit Other Destinations
2015-16
2 Krishna Development of Govind Dev ji temple (Jaipur), 75.80
Circuit KhatuShyam Ji (Sikar) and Nathdwara
2016-17 (Rajsamand)
3 Spiritual Development of Spiritual Circuit– 87.05
Circuit 'Development of Churu (SalasarBalaji)-Jaipur
2016-17 (Shri SamodkeBalaji, GhatkeBalaji,
BandhekeBalaji)- Viratnagar (Bijak,
Jainnasiya, Ambika Temple)- Bharatpur
(Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) -
MehndipurBalaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji)
4 Heritage Development of Heritage Circuit Development 70.61
Circuit of Rajsamand (Kumbhalgarh Fort) - Jaipur
2017-18 (Facade Illumination in Jaipur and Nahargarh
Fort) -Jhalawar (Gagron Fort) - Chittorgarh
(Chittorgarh Fort) – Jaisalmer (Jaisalmer Fort)
- Hanumangarh (Gogamedi) - Udaipur (Pratap
Gaurav Kendra) - Dholpur (Bagh-I-Nilofor and
PuraniChawani) - Nagaur (Meera Bai Smarak,
Merta) - Tonk (SunehriKothi)
List of projects sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in the State of
Rajasthan:
S. Project Name Sanction Sanction Amount
No. Year (in ₹ Crores)
1 Integrated Development of 2015-16 32.64
Pushkar/AjmerList of Projects Sanctioned under the Scheme Assistance to Central
Agencies in the State of Rajasthan:
S. Name of Project Agency Sanction Amount
No. Date sanctioned
(in ₹ Crore)
1 Development of Border BSF 05-07-2022 17.68
Tourism at Shri Tanot
Complex, Jaisalmer Sector
2 Installation of Musical ITDC 04-10-2023 9.26
Fountain & Water Screen
Multimedia based projection
show at NawalSagar Lake,
Bundi
List of sanctioned projects under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 in the State of
Rajasthan :
S Year of Destination Name of the Experience Sanctioned Cost
No. Sanction (₹ Crore)
1 2023-24 Bundi Spiritual Experience, 21.65
Keshavraipatan
2 2024-25 Sikar Development works at 87.87
Shri KhatuShyam Ji
Temple (Sikar)
3 2024-25 Karni Mata Development Works at 22.57
temple, Bikaner Shri Karnimatamandir,
dist. Bikaner
4 2024-25 MalaseriDungari Development of 48.73
(District - MalaseriDungri, Bhilwara
Bhilwara) District
List of Projects sanctioned under the Special Assistance to States for
Capital Investment (SASCI Scheme) - Development of Iconic Tourist
Centres to Global Scale in the State of Rajasthan:
S. State Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned
No. Sanction Cost
(₹ Crore)
1 Rajasthan 2024-25 Development at Amber-Nahargarh 49.31
and Surrounding Area in Jaipur
2 Rajasthan 2024-25 Development at Jalmahal in Jaipur 96.61
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