Parliament Question: Development of tourism in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3175 ANSWERED ON 19.03.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN TAMIL NADU 3175 SHRI I.S. INBADURAI: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the funds allocated and released for tourism development projects in Tamil Nadu during the last three years and the current financial year, scheme-wise; (b) whether tourism infrastructure projects in the State have been sanctioned under central schemes such as Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD and if so, project-wise status and expenditure incurred; and (c) whether any special financial assistance has been provided for coastal, heritage and eco- tourism development in the State and if so, the details of locations covered and funds utilised? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (c): Development of tourism infrastructure, amenities and experiences at different destinations is primarily done by the concerned State Government (SG)/UT Administration (UTA). However, Ministry of Tourism under its various schemes including ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development – CBDD’ a sub- scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ provides financial assistance for development of tourism infrastructure and experiences in the country including coastal, heritage and eco-tourism development. The Government of India under its ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ provides financial assistance with the primary objective to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country. Proposals for seeking financial assistance for the development of the tourism infrastructure are formulated by the concerned State/UT. The proposals received are examined in accordance with the prescribed guidelines, and financial assistance is provided subject to fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds. The details of projects sanctioned under the aforementioned schemes in the State of Tamil Nadu are annexed. ******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3175 ANSWERED ON 19.03.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN TAMIL NADU RAISED BY SHRI I.S. INBADURAI Details of projects sanctioned under SD, SD 2.0, CBDD, SASCI and PRASHAD schemes in the State of Tamil Nadu is as under: (₹ in Crore) S. No. Name of Project and Amount Amount Amount Status Sanction Year Sanctioned Released Utilised A Swadesh Darshan 1.0 i. Development of Chennai- 73.13 71.03 71.03 Complete Mamamallapuram – Rameshwaram – Manpadu – Kanyakumari (December 2015) B Swadesh Darshan 2.0 i. Immersive experience at Shore 30.02 0 0 Sanctioned Temple (Work not (March 2024) Commenced by State Government) C Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) i. Iconic transformation of 20.01 2 0 At Rameswaram under Spiritual Implementation (March 2025) Stage D Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) i. Development of Kanchipuram 13.99 13.99 13.99 Complete (Aug 2020) ii. Development of Velankanni 4.86 4.86 4.86 Complete (May 2020) iii. Development of 8 Navagraha 40.94 0 0 At Temples (March 2025) Implementation Stage E Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) i. Nandavanam Heritage Park 99.67 65.78 0 At (Nov 2024) Implementation Stage ii. Eco Park at Race Course in Ooty 70.23 46.35 0 At (Nov 2024) Implementation Stage *****