Parliament Question: Development of Nalanda and Rajgir

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†184 ANSWERED ON 20.07.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF NALANDA AND RAJGIR †184.SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the current status of the scheme to develop Nalanda and Rajgir as international tourism centres under the budgetary provisions of the Government; (b) the details of the amenities being considered by the Government to be provided for domestic and international tourists visiting Nalanda; (c) whether the Government proposes to connect Nalanda and Rajgir to the global tourism circuit; and (d) 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 through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD) and Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’, a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan scheme and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development in the country by extending financial assistance to the SGs/UTAs in synergy with the scheme guidelines, receipt of the project proposals from the concerned State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, availability of funds etc.Further, 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 including Bihar 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, CBDD, SASCI and PRASHAD schemes in the State of Bihar including in Rajgir is annexed. Further, State Government of Bihar has submitted comprehensive destination strategy and development plan for Nalanda-Rajgir. Receiving of Project Proposal, Master Plan etc. from the State Government/UT Administrations is a continuous process. The proposals received are examined as per the scheme guidelines and financial assistance is extended for such project proposals subject to availability of funds, inter-se priority etc. ******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†184 ANSWERED ON 20.07.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF NALANDA AND RAJGIR RAISED BY SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR Details of the sanctioned projects in Bihar including under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, SASCI and PRASHAD scheme (i) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the State of Bihar: (in ₹Crore) S. Circuit / Name of the Project Sanctioned No. Sanction Cost Year 1. Tirthankar Development of Vaishali- Arrah- Masad- 33.96 2016-17 Patna-Rajgir-Pawapuri- Champapuri 2. Spiritual Development of Kanwaria Route: 44.76 2016-17 Sultanganj – Dharmshala- Deoghar 3. Buddhist Development of Buddhist circuit- 95.18 2016-17 Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya 4. Rural Development of Bhitiharwa- 44.27 2017-18 Chandrahia-Turkaulia 5. Spiritual Development of Mandar Hill & Ang 44.55 2017-18 Pradesh (ii) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in the State of Bihar: (in ₹Crore) S . Year of Destination Name of the Experience Sanctioned No. Sanction Cost 1. 2024-25 Bodh Gaya Development of the Buddhist 165.44 Meditation & Experience Centre, Bodh Gaya (iii) Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme in the State of Bihar:(in ₹Crore) S.No. Year of Name of the Project Category Sanctioned Sanction Cost 1. Development of Sonepur Fair Culture & 2024-25 24.29 Site, Saran Heritage (iv) Details of Project sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme in the State of Bihar: (in ₹Crore) S.No. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned Sanction Cost 1. 2024-25 Development of Matsyagandha Lake in 97.61 Saharsa 2. 2024-25 Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure 49.51 Hub in Karamchat (v) Details of Project sanctioned under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme in the State of Bihar: (in ₹Crore) S. Project Name Sanction Sanction No. Year Amount 1. Development at Patna Sahib 2015-16 29.62 2. Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad 2014-15 3.63 temple, Gaya, Bihar 3. Development of Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran 2024-25 13.29 ******