Parliament Question: Development of Nevasa Pilgrimage Site

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*224 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF NEVASA PILGRIMAGE SITE †*224. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is true that Nevasa in Ahmednagar (now Ahilyanagar) district of Maharashtra, the birthplace of the great Saint of Marathi literature and culture Saint Gyaneshwar (Dnyaneshwar) is a centre of historical and cultural importance, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether it is a fact that the statue of Saint Gyaneshwar

(Dnyaneshwar) installed at his Samadhi in Nevasa village is a pilgrimage site and worshipped by his followers and several other temples and monuments associated with his life are situated there as well;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has taken or proposes to take any steps to ensure central allocation of funds for the tourism development of Nevasa pilgrimage site; and

(e) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. *******STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*224 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF NEVASA PILGRIMAGE SITE RAISED BY SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE

(a): The archaeological mound situated in Newasa, Ahmednagar

(Maharashtra) named as "Ancient Site locally known as Ladmod" is a protected area with ASI under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.

(b) & (c): The temple located at the southern foot of the Ladmod mound Nevasa, not protected by ASI, is a place where, as per local beliefs and tradition, Sri Jnanesvara dictated the commentary on Gita.

The Ancient site locally known as Ladmod, Newasa, is looked after by Archaeological Survey of India and expenditure incurred on its

maintenance during the last three years is as under:

Expenditure (in Rs.) on annual maintenance of the site 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26(Till Jan) 635412 321268 259492 290414

(d) & (e): As regard to tourism is concerned, development and maintenance of pilgrimage sites are primarily undertaken by the respective State Government and Union Territory Administration. The Ministry of Tourism complements the efforts of State Governments (SGs) and UT Administrations (UTs) by developing and promoting several tourismproducts of the country through various schemes and initiatives, including the State of Maharashtra.

No proposal for the tourism development of Nevasa pilgrimage site has been received by the Ministry of Tourism. However, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned various tourism development projects in Maharashtra amounting to Rs.437.10 crore, details of which are given in the Annexure.

Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations for financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process. The proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribed guidelines and financial assistance is extended for such projects subject to fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.

*****ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (d) AND (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*224 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF NEVASA PILGRIMAGE SITE RAISED BY SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE.

i. List of project sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in Maharashtra is as

under:

S. Name of the Project Sanction Sanction Amount No. Year Amount Released (₹ in (₹ in Crores) Crores)

1. Development of 2017-18 45.41 38.44 Trimbakeshwar, Nashik ii. List of projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme (1.0) in

Maharashtra is as under:

S. Circuit / Name of the Project Amount Amount No. Sanction Sanctioned Released Year (₹ in Crore) /Authorised (₹ in Crore)

1. Coastal Development of 19.06 18.10 Circuit Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit 2015-16 - Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek), Mitbhav

2. Spiritual Development of Waki- 45.47 43.19 Circuit Adasa- Dhapewada- 2018-19 Paradsingha- Telankhandi- Giradiii. List of project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme (2.0) in

Maharashtra is as under:

S. Name of the Experience Sanction Sanctioned Amount No. Year Cost Authorised (₹ in Crore) (₹ in Crore)

1. Shivshrusthi Theme Park 2024-25 76.22 7.62 iv. List of project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)Scheme in Maharashtra is as under:

S. Destination/ Name of the Sanction Sanctioned Amount No. Category Experience Year Cost Authorised (₹ in Crore) (₹ in Crore)

1. Ahmednagar Development of 2024-25 25.00 2.50 (Culture & Ahmednagar Heritage) Fort v. List of projects sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)Scheme in Maharashtra is as under:

S. Name of the Project Sanction Sanctioned Amount No. Year Cost Released (₹ in Crore) (₹ in Crore)

1. INS-Guldar Underwater 2024-25 46.91 96.39 Museum, Artificial Reef, and submarine Tourism in Sindhudurg

2. Development of RAM-KAL 2024-25 99.14 PATH in Nashik vi. List of projects sanctioned under Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACA) Scheme in Maharashtra is as

under:

S. Name of the Project Sanction Amount Amount No. Year Sanctioned Authorised (₹ in Crore) (₹ in Crore)

1. Development of Kanoji 2016-17 15.0 15.0 Angre Lighthouse as atourist Destination

2. Up-gradation/ 2017-18 12.5 12.5 modernization to International Cruise terminal at Indira Dock, Mumbai.

3. Upgradation/ 2021-22 37.5 30.0 Modernization to International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock, Mumbai Port Trust

4. Nanded Railway Station 2016-17 5.18 2.59

5. Aurangabad Railway 2017-18 5.71 2.85 Station

6. Manufacture of 3 Glass 2017-18 4.0 4.0

Top Coaches: (Route Dadar-Madgaon, Mumbai to Goa) *****