**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. †1241, concerning the development of tourist facilities in the Sonbhadra district, answered on 08.12.2025. The document outlines that while tourism development is primarily the responsibility of State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, the Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance through various central sector schemes. Presently, there are no new proposals under consideration for sanctioning of projects in Sonbhadra district.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Tourism Development Responsibility:**
* Tourism development is primarily undertaken by the State Government (SG) / Union Territory Administration (UTA).
* **Ministry of Tourism's Role:**
* The Ministry complements efforts through schemes like 'Swadesh Darshan (SD)', 'Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)', 'Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)', 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)', and 'Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA)'.
* Financial assistance is extended to State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies, subject to scheme guidelines, DPRs, fund availability, and inter-se priority.
* 'Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)' also provides financial support for tourism projects.
* **Current Status in Sonbhadra District:**
* There are no new proposals under consideration for sanctioning of projects in Sonbhadra district under the mentioned schemes.
* **Annexed Information:**
* The document includes an annexure detailing projects sanctioned under various schemes in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
* The annexure lists projects funded under schemes such as Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Challenge Based Destination Development, Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment, Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive, and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government (SG) / Union Territory Administration (UTA)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the primary development of tourist amenities within their jurisdiction. Required to adhere to scheme guidelines and submit Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to avail of financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism.
* **Action Required:** The SG/UTA needs to develop proposals in line with existing funding schemes in order to be considered for support from the Ministry of Tourism.
**Ministry of Tourism**
* **Impact:** Determines which schemes can be used in what locations
* **Action Required:** No specific action cited in the context of this document.
**Sonbhadra District**
* **Impact:** No projects are currently planned for the district at the present time.
* **Action Required:** None, as there is no action that they can take.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The central ministry responsible for the tourism schemes and initiatives discussed in the document.
Sonbhadra District: The specific location for which tourism development is questioned.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for developing tourism infrastructure in India.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD): A central sector scheme focused on developing pilgrimage and heritage tourism destinations.
Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA) for Tourism Infrastructure Development: A scheme to provide financial assistance for tourism development.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1241
ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST FACILITIES IN SONBHADRA DISTRICT
†1241. SHRI CHHOTELAL:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether any special tourist amenities are proposed to be developed
in the Sonbhadra district, a prominent tourist destination under
Robertsganj Lok Sabha Constituency; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (b): Development of tourism amenities at any destination,
including in Sonbhadra district, is primarily undertaken by the concerned
State Government (SG) / Union Territory Administration (UTA). However,
the Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh
Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based
Destination Development (CBDD)’ – a sub-scheme of SD2.0, ‘Pilgrimage
Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and
‘Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA) for Tourism Infrastructure
Development’ complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure
development by extending financial assistance to the State
Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies; subject to adherence
to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs),
availability of funds, inter-se priority etc.
In addition, Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special
Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ has also provided
financial assistance to the States for development of tourism projects.Presently there is no new proposal under consideration for
sanctioning of projects in Sonbhadra district under the above mentioned
schemes. Further, the details of projects sanctioned under aforesaid
schemes of the Ministry of Tourism in the state of Uttar Pradesh are
annexed.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.†1241 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025 REGARDING
DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST FACILITIES IN SONBHADRA DISTRICT
RAISED BY SHRI CHHOTELAL
(i) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the
State of Uttar Pradesh:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S . Circuit / Name of the Project Sanctioned
No. Sanction Amount
Year
1. Buddhist Development of Srawasti, 87.89
Circuit Kushinagar, & Kapilwastu
2016-17
2. Ramayana Development of Chitrakoot and 69.45
Circuit Shringverpur
2016-17
3. Spiritual Development of Ahar-Aligarh- 71.91
Circuit Kasganj-Sarosi (Unnao)-Pratapgarh-
2016-17 Kausambi-Mirzapur-Gorakhpur-
Domariyaganj-Basti-Barabanki-
Azamgarh-Kairana- Baghpat-
Shahjahanpur
4. Spiritual Development of Bijnor- Meerut- 67.51
Circuit Kanpur- Kanpur Dehat- Banda-
2016-17 Ghazipur- Salempur- Ghosi- Balia-
Ambedkar Nagar- Aligarh- Fatehpur-
Deoria- Mahoba- Sonbhadra-
Chandauli- Mishrikh- Bhadohi
5. Heritage Development of Kalinjar Fort (Banda)- 36.65
Circuit MagharDham (SantKabir Nagar)-
2016-17 ChauriChaura, Shaheed Sthal
(Fatehpur)- MahuarshaheedSthal
(Ghosi)- Shaheed Smarak (Meerut)
6. Ramayana Development of Ayodhya 127.21
Circuit
2017-187. Spiritual Development of Jewar-Dadri- 12.03
Circuit Sikandrabad-Noida-Khurja-Banda
2018-19
8. Spiritual Development of Gorakhnath Temple 18.30
Circuit (Gorakhpur), Devipattan Temple
2018-19 (Balrampur) and Vatvashni Temple
(Domariyagunj)
(ii) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in
the State of Uttar Pradesh:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S . Year of Destination Name of the Experience Sanctioned
No. Sanction Amount
1. 2023-24 Prayagraj Azad Park and Dekho 14.52
Prayagraj Trail Exp
2. 2023-24 Naimisaranya Vedic- wellness 17.80
Experience
(iii) Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination
Development (CBDD) Scheme in the State of Uttar Pradesh:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Year of Name of the Project Category Sanctioned
No. Sanction Amount
1. Development of Cultural Culture &
2024-25 24.98
Landscape at Mahoba Heritage
(iv) Details of Project sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for
Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme in the State of Uttar Pradesh:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned
No. Sanction Amount
1. 2024-25 Development of Bateshwar in District- 74.05
Agra
2. 2024-25 Integrated Buddhist Tourism 80.24
Development in Shrawasti
(v) Details of Project sanctioned under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and
Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme in the State of
Uttar Pradesh:(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Project Name Sanction Sanctioned
No. Year Amount
1. Development of Varanasi – Phase –I 2015-16 18.73
2. Development of Mathura-Vrindavan as
2014-15 10.98
Mega Tourist Circuit (Ph-II)
3. River Cruise Tourism in Ganga,
2017-18 9.02
Varanasi
4. Construction of Tourist Facilitation
2014-15 9.36
Centre at Vrindavan
5. Development of Varanasi – Phase –II 2017-18 44.60
6. Development of Infrastructure facilities
2018-19 37.59
at Govardhan
(vi) Details of Project sanctioned under Assistance to Central Agencies
for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACATID) Scheme in the State of
Uttar Pradesh:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Project Name Sanction Sanctioned
No. Year Amount
1. Illumination of monuments in 28-02-2015 5.12
Varanasi/Sarnath (Dhamekh Stupa in
Sarnath Chaukhandi Stupa in Sarnath,
Tomb of Lalkan in Sarnath and Man
Mahal in Banaras).
2. Illumination of three monuments in 21-12-2017 2.94
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh-
1. Dashashwamedh Ghat to Darbhanga
Ghat (stretch of 300 m)
2. TulsiManas Mandir
3. Sarnath Museum
3. Rai-Bareilly Railway Station 30-07-2013 4.44
4. Agra Cantt. Railway Station 30-07-2013 5.05
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