Parliament Question: Development of Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4868 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF VEDAGIRI LAKSHMI NARASIMHASWAMY TEMPLE 4868. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has identified Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme; (b) the details of developmental activities proposed in the said temple; (c) the details of budget sanctioned, allocated, released and utilised so far; (d) whether all the works have been completed in the said temple; and (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for delay along with the timeline of its completion? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (e): Development and promotion of tourist destinations including religious tourism is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/ Union Territory (UT) Administration. Ministry of Tourism under its Scheme “Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive” (PRASHAD) provides financial assistance to the State Governments (SGs) and Union Territory Administrations (UTAs) for development of tourism related infrastructure at identified religious and heritage sites across the country including theState of Andhra Pradesh. This process is undertaken in consultation with State Governments (SGs)/UT Administrations (UTs). Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations for financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process. The proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribed guidelines and financial assistance is extended for such projects subject to fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds. Ministry of Tourism has identified the project “Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimhawamy Temple, Nellore District” for development under the PRASHAD Scheme and the said project has not been sanctioned. However, four projects have been sanctioned in the State of Andhra Pradesh under the PRASHAD Scheme the details of which are given in the Annexure. *****ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4868 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF VEDAGIRI LAKSHMI NARASIMHASWAMY TEMPLE RAISED BY SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY The details of projects sanctioned in Andhra Pradesh under PRASHAD Scheme Sr. Name of the Project Amount Amount Amount No. Sanctioned Released Utilized (Rs. In (Rs. In (Rs. In Crore) Crore) Crore) 1. Development of Amaravati Town, Guntur 27.77 27.77 27.77 District as a Tourist Destination 2. Development of Srisailam 43.08 43.08 43.08 Temple 3. Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narsimha Swami Vari Devasthanam at 54.04 27.37 27.37 Simhachalam in Vishakhapatnam Temple 4. Development of Pilgrimage Tourism 25.33 6.74 0.00 Infrastructure in Annavaram Temple Town *******