Parliament Question: Development of tourism infrastructure

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.147 ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE 147 SHRI RYAGA KRISHNAIAH:

SMT. KIRAN CHOUDHRY:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) the number of projects sanctioned to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana under Swadesh Darshan scheme and Swadesh Darshan 2.0;

(b) the number of projects completed, so far, in these States;

(c) the objectives of Challenge-Based Destination Development initiative and the categories of projects supported under it;

(d) whether long-term interest-free assistance is being utilised for the development of iconic tourism destinations; and

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

(a) to (e): Development and promotion of tourism destinations and products is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government (SG)/Union Territory Administration (UTA). However, Ministry of Tourism through its centre sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan

2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan

2.0 scheme etc. complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development in the country by extending financial assistance to the SGs/UTAs on receipt of the project proposals from the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration in synergy with the scheme guidelines, Government directions, availability of funds, inter-se priority etc. As per the scheme guidelines of CBDD, the initiative intends holistic development of the destinations to enhance tourist experiences across all points of the tourist value chain and 4 categories viz. spiritual tourism, culture & heritage, Vibrant Village programme and Eco-tourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites were identified under it.

Government of India under its ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ scheme, which provides long term interest free loans, has sanctioned projects with the primary objective to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding and marketing them at global scale.

The details of the projects sanctioned under SD, SD2.0, CBDD and SASCI schemes in the State of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana along with its implementation status is annexed. *****ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.147 ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE RAISED BY SHRI RYAGA KRISHNAIAH AND SMT. KIRAN CHOUDHRY Details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan (SD), SD2.0, CBDD and SASCI schemes in

the state of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana along with its implementation status:

Andhra Pradesh (Rs. In Crore) Scheme/Sub Sl. Name of the project /Experience Sanctioned Status (Physically -Scheme/ No. Amount complete/ Initiative Implementation Stage) Swadesh 1. Development of Kakinada - Hope Island - 67.83 Physically Darshan Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary - Passarlapudi - complete

(SD) Aduru - S Yanam – Kotipally

2. Development of Nellore - Pulikat Lake - 49.55 Physically UbblamaduguWater Falls – Nelapattu- complete Kothakoduru- Mypadu - Ramateertham – Iskapalli

3. Development of Buddhist Circuit: 35.24 Physically Shalihundam- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda - complete Amravati- Anupu SD2.0 4. Development of Suryalanka Beach 97.52 Implementation Experience at Bapatala Stage

5. Borra Cave Experience at Araku 29.88 Implementation Stage CBDD 6. Enriching Buddhist Heritage and Cultural 25.00 Implementation Experiences at Nagarjuna Sagar Stage

7. Development of Abhobilam as a Spiritual 24.99 Implementation Odyssey Stage SASCI 8. Enriching the Fort and Gorge Experience in 77.91 Implementation Gandikota Stage

9. Akhanda Godavari- (Havelok Bridge & 94.44 Implementation Pushkar Ghat) in Raja Mahendravaram Stage Telangana (Rs. In Crore) Scheme/Sub- Sl. Name of the project /Experience Sanctioned Status Scheme/ No. Amount (Physically Initiative complete/ Implementation Stage) Swadesh 1. Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in 91.62 Physically Darshan (SD) Mahaboobnagar district complete2. Development of Mulugu-Laknavaram- 79.87 Physically Medavaram- Tadvai- Damaravi- Mallur- complete Bogatha Waterfalls

3. Development of Qutub Shahi Heritage Park- 96.90 Physically Paigah Tombs- Hayat Bakshi Mosque- complete Raymond's Tomb SD2.0 4. Eco tourism zone at Ananathgiri forest 38.00 Implementation Stage

5. Bhongir Fort Experiential Zone 56.82 Implementation Stage CBDD 6. Development of digital experience centre at 24.85 Implementation Bhuddhavanam, Nalgonda Stage

7. Development of Eco-Tourism Project at 9.98 Implementation Nizam Sagar, Kamareddy Stage SASCI 8. Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism 73.74 Implementation Circuit in Ramappa Stage

9. Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat in 68.10 Implementation Nallamala Stage *****