**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Tourism's response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 320, answered on August 11, 2025, regarding the development of pilgrimage sites in Bihar under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme. The PRASHAD scheme provides financial assistance to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for tourism infrastructure development at identified religious and heritage sites. In Bihar, three projects have been sanctioned under this scheme:
1. **Development at Patna Sahib:** Sanctioned in 2015-16 with an approved amount of ₹29.62 Crores. The entire amount has been released and utilized, and the project is 100% complete.
2. **Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad Temple, Gaya:** Sanctioned in 2014-15 with an approved amount of ₹3.63 Crores. The entire amount has been released and utilized, and the project is 100% complete.
3. **Development of Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran:** Sanctioned in 2024-25 with an approved amount of ₹13.29 Crores. This project is currently ongoing.
The Ministry of Tourism continuously receives proposals from State Governments/UT Administrations for financial assistance for tourism projects. These proposals are assessed based on prescribed guidelines, and financial assistance is extended subject to fulfilling stipulated conditions and the availability of funds.
Key Entities Referenced
PRASHAD: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive, a scheme by the Ministry of Tourism for developing pilgrimage sites.
Ministry of Tourism: The government ministry responsible for tourism development and promotion.
Bihar: A state in India where pilgrimage sites are being developed under the PRASHAD scheme.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: The Minister of Tourism answering the Lok Sabha question.
Patna Sahib: A pilgrimage site in Bihar, where development projects have been completed under the PRASHAD scheme.
Vishnupad temple, Gaya, Bihar: A pilgrimage site in Gaya, Bihar, where basic facilities have been developed under the PRASHAD scheme.
Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran: A pilgrimage site in Saran, Bihar, where development is ongoing under the PRASHAD scheme.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the starred question was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. †*320
ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF PILGRIMAGE SITES UNDER PRASHAD
†*320. SMT. LOVELY ANAND:
SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the details of various pilgrimage sites identified and approved under
the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation
Drive (PRASHAD) scheme in Bihar during the last five years;
(b) the current status of all the said projects;
(c) whether the State Government of Bihar has sent a proposal for
development of any pilgrimage site to the Union Government after the
year 2017-18; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
**********STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO.†*320 ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025 REGARDING
DEVELOPMENT OF PILGRIMAGE SITES UNDER PRASHAD RAISED BY SMT.
LOVELY ANAND AND SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV
(a) to (d): Ministry of Tourism under the “Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and
Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive” (PRASHAD) provides financial
assistance to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations
for development of tourism infrastructure at identified religious and
heritage sites across the country, including the State of Bihar.
Under the scheme, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 3 projects
namely Development at Patna Sahib, Development of basic facilities at
Vishnupad temple, Gaya, Bihar and Development of Ambika Bhawani
Temple, Saran. The status of these projects is placed at 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
fulfillment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO.†*320 ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT
OF PILGRIMAGE SITES UNDER PRASHAD RAISED BY SMT. LOVELY ANAND
AND SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV
List of projects under PRASHAD Scheme in the State of Bihar
(Rs. In Crores)
S. Project Name Sanction Sanction Amount Amount Physical Status
No. Year Amount Released Utilized Progress
1 Development 2015-16 29.62 29.62 29.62 100% Completed
at Patna
Sahib
2 Development 2014-15 3.63 3.63 3.63 100% Completed
of basic
facilities at
Vishnupad
temple,
Gaya, Bihar
3 Development 2024-25 13.29 - - - Ongoing
of Ambika
Bhawani
Temple,
Saran
********