This document summarizes the Ministry of Tourism's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 164 regarding the development of a tourism circuit for Murshidabad. The response, delivered on July 21, 2025, by the Minister of Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, clarifies that the development and promotion of tourist destinations is primarily the responsibility of State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism complements these efforts through central sector schemes like Swadesh Darshan (SD) and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), providing financial assistance to States/UTs, including West Bengal. Project proposals are evaluated based on merit, fund availability, and adherence to scheme guidelines.
The annexure details projects sanctioned in West Bengal under these schemes: Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the "Coastal Development of Beach Circuit: Udaipur Circuit Digha Shankarpur Tajpur Mandarmani Fraserganj-Bakkhlai Henry Island" project was sanctioned in 2015-16 with an amount of ₹67.99 crore. Under the PRASHAD Scheme, the "Development of Belur Math" project was sanctioned in 2016-17 with an approved cost of ₹30.03 crore. The Ministry of Tourism also engages with other Ministries to improve last-mile connectivity and promote integrated development of tourist destinations.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in India.
MD ABU TAHER KHAN: Member of Parliament who raised a question in Lok Sabha regarding the development of a tourism circuit for Murshidabad.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism who answered the question in Lok Sabha.
Murshidabad: A historical place for which the development of a tourism circuit is proposed. It is located in West Bengal, India.
Kolkata, West Bengal: A major city in West Bengal, India, mentioned in the context of improving transport connectivity to Murshidabad.
Swadesh Darshan SD: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for integrated development of theme based tourist circuits in India.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD: A central sector scheme by the Ministry of Tourism focusing on developing and promoting pilgrimage tourism in India.
West Bengal: A state in eastern India that is a focus of tourism development projects under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.164
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM CIRCUIT FOR MURSHIDABAD
164. MD ABU TAHER KHAN:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to make a tourism circuit for
Murshidabad being a historical place;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government proposes to improve the transport
system/connectivity to reach Murshidabad directly from rest of the
country particularly Kolkata in less time comfortably?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and
products is primarily undertaken by the respective State
Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry of Tourism
through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’ 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
State Governments/UT Administrations including the State of West
Bengal. Proposals for infrastructure improvement are considered based
on the merit of the project, availability of funds, and adherence to the
scheme guidelines. The details of projects sanctioned under the
aforementioned schemes is annexed.
Ministry of Tourism continues to engage with other Ministries on last-
mile connectivity and promote integrated development of tourist
destinations.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.164 ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025 REGARDING
DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM CIRCUIT FOR MURSHIDABAD RAISED BY
MD ABU TAHER KHAN.
(i) Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the State of
West Bengal is as under:
(Amount in ₹ crore)
Sl. Circuit / Name of the Project Amount
No. Sanction Sanctioned
Year
1. Coastal Development of Beach Circuit: Udaipur- 67.99
Circuit Digha- Shankarpur- Tajpur- Mandarmani-
(2015-16) Fraserganj-Bakkhlai- Henry Island
(ii). Project sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in the State of West
Bengal is as under:
(Amount in ₹ crore)
Sl. Name of Project Sanction Approved
No. Year Cost
1. Development of Belur Math 2016-17 30.03
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