Parliament Question: Development of Tourism and Heritage Circuit in Dhanbad

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†3575 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM AND HERITAGE CIRCUIT IN DHANBAD †3575. SHRI DULU MAHATO: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to develop the Dhanbad Lok Sabha Constituency as a major eco-tourism and heritage circuit (such as Maithon and Panchet Dams, Topchanchi Lake, Bhatinda Waterfall and the ancient temple located at Jinshi Hill) apart from its identity as 'coal capital'; (b) whether any proposal is under consideration to provide-financial assistance for the infrastructure, beautification and security arrangements of these major natural and historical tourist destinations of Dhanbad under the 'Swadesh Darshan 2.0 or Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme; (c) whether any funds have been sanctioned and allocated by the Central Government for promoting tourism in Dhanbad during the last three years, if so, the details thereof; and (d) the details of immediate steps taken/being taken by the Government to bring Dhanbad on the national tourism map and to create new employment opportunities for the local youth? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (d): The development and promotion of tourist destinations and tourism products, is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government and Union Territory (UT) Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism, under its various schemes such as Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) supplements the efforts of theStates/UTs by providing financial assistance for the development of tourism related infrastructure and experiences across the country, including in the State of Jharkhand. No proposal regarding development of Dhanbad Lok Sabha Constituency as a major eco-tourism and heritage circuit (such as Maithon and Panchet Dams, Topchanchi Lake, Bhatinda Waterfall and the ancient temple located at Jinshi Hill) is presently under consideration. However, receiving proposals from the State Governments and Union Territory 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. The development of tourism infrastructure through the above- mentioned Schemes is ensured in a holistic manner with the objective of promoting regional tourism and generating local employment. *****