Parliament Question: Development of Tourist Destinations in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.55 ANSWERED ON 20.07.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN TAMIL NADU

55. SHRI C N ANNADURAI:

SHRI SELVAM G:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has recognised or identified any new tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu for development under Central tourism schemes during the last three years and the current year;

(b) if so, the details of such destinations, district-wise the criteria adopted for their selection, and the funds sanctioned and released for infrastructure development, wayside amenities, interpretation centres, digital facilities and last-mile connectivity;

(c) whether the Government proposes to develop emerging tourism circuits in Tamil Nadu, including eco-tourism, coastal, heritage, rural, wellness and spiritual tourism, through convergence with other Central schemes;

(d) whether the Government has identified any additional destinations in Tamil Nadu with significant tourism potential for inclusion under future Central tourism initiatives and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the details of the steps taken to promote sustainable tourism, improve visitor experience and generate employment through tourism infrastructure development in Tamil Nadu? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): Identification, Development and promotion of tourist destinations and tourism products is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Governments (SGs)/Union Territory Administrations (UTAs). However, the Ministry of Tourism through its schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ – asub-scheme of SD2.0, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agency for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACATID)’ complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments /UT Administrations /Central Agency; subject to adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by them, availability of funds, Government directions, inter-se priority etc.

In addition, Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ scheme, has also provided financial assistance to the States in the year 2024-25 for development of tourism projects.

The Swadesh Darshan Scheme was initially designed for the integrated development of thematic tourism circuits. The revamped Swadesh Darshan 2.0 adopts a destination-centric approach with a focus on developing sustainable and responsible tourism destinations to enhance visitor experience and effective destination management.

Sanctioning of project under the schemes is a continuous process and the projects sanctioned under these schemes cover variety of destinations including coastal, heritage, spiritual, Eco etc. The details of projects sanctioned by the Ministry under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD, SASCI and ACATID schemes in the state of Tamil Nadu are annexed.

A range of components which enhance overall tourist experience at the destination are considered for sanctioning by Ministry of Tourism under its schemes, as per the project requirement including those related to tourism core products, tourism activities, safety, public conveniences, last mile connectivity, parking, general site development, and other tourism related facilities.

The Ministry regularly encourages State Governments/UT Administrations to engage with local communities and to ensure robust operation & management (O&M) of completed projects so as to increase footfall, generate local employment and enhance overall tourist satisfaction.

******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.55 ANSWERED ON 20.07.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN TAMIL NADU RAISED BY SHRI C N ANNADURAI AND SHRI SELVAM G The details of the projects sanctioned under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD,

SASCI and ACATID in the state of Tamil Nadu:

(i) Swadesh Darshan Scheme: (in ₹Crore) S. Circuit / Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount N. Sanction Cost Released / Year Authorized

1. Coastal Development of (Chennai- 73.13 71.03 2016-17 Mamamallapuram– Rameshwaram – Manpadu– Kanyakumari)

(ii) Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme: (in ₹Crore) S.N. Year of Destination Name of the Sanctioned Amount Sanction Experience Amount Authorized

1. 2023-24 Mamallapuram Immersive 30.02 - experience at Shore Temple

(iii) Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme: (in ₹Crore) S.N. Year of Name of the Category Sanctioned Amount Sanction Project Cost Authorized

1. 2024-25 Iconic Rameswaram 20.01 10.01 transformation Island (Spiritual of Tourism) Rameswaram(iv) Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive

(PRASHAD) Scheme: (in ₹Crore) S.N. Project Name Sanction Sanction Amount Year Amount Released/ Authorized Development of Kanchipu

1. 2016-17 13.99 13.99 ram Development of Velankan

2. 2016-17 4.86 4.86 ni Development of 8 Navagra

3. 2024-25 40.94 11.75 ha Temples

(v) Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme: (in ₹Crore) S.N. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount Sanction Cost Released

1. 2024-25 Development of Nandavanam 99.67 112.13 Heritage Park in Mammallapuram

2. 2024-25 Eco Park at Race Course in Ooty 70.23

(vi) Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development

(ACATID) Scheme: (in ₹Crore) S.N. Project Name Sanction Sanction Amount Year Amount Released Illumination and allied works at Ga 2024-2025 11.47 1.14

1. ngaikonda Cholapuram Temple, Di strict - Ariyalur Cruise Passenger Facilities Centre 2012-2013 17.24 17.24

2. in the existing Passenger Terminal at Chennai Port.

3. Rameshwaram Railway Station 2017-2018 4.7 3.75

4. Madurai Railway Station 2018-2019 4.48 3.56 ******