Parliament Question: Financial Allocation for Tourism Development in Assam

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2397 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 FINANCIAL ALLOCATION FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN ASSAM

2397. MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has assessed the quantum of funds allocated and released to Assam for tourism promotion and infrastructure development under various Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes during the last five years;

(b) if so, the details of allocations made to Assam in comparison with other States in the North Eastern Region, scheme and year-wise;

(c) the details of reasons for receiving a comparatively lower share of tourism promotion funds by Assam, if any, including utilisation capacity, project proposals or policy criteria; and

(d) the details of steps taken or proposed to enhance financial allocation and promotional support for tourism development in Assam? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (b): Identification, development and promotion of tourism destinations and tourist 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)’, and ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ – a sub-scheme of SD2.0 and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive

(PRASHAD)’ complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the implementing agencies of the concerned SGs/UTAs; subject to adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by concernedState Governments (SGs)/Union Territory Administrations (UTAs), availability of funds, Government directions, inter-se priority etc.

Ministry has sanctioned multiple projects under SD, SD2.0, and CBDD in the state of Assam, details of the same along-with sanctioned cost is annexed at Annexure.

(c) to (d): Destinations and projects are selected/sanctioned based on proposals received from the States/UTs, their appraisal as per the Scheme Guidelines and availability of funds. Accordingly, the Swadesh Darshan portal has been opened and proposals have been invited from all State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for consideration under the SD 2.0 Scheme. Eligible proposals received from Assam, as well as from other States/UTs, may be considered in accordance with the extant Guidelines and subject to appraisal and availability of funds.

*******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (B) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2397 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 REGARDING FINANCIAL ALLOCATION FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN ASSAM RAISED BY MD.

RAKIBUL HUSSAIN

(i) Details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan

Scheme in the State of Assam: (in ₹ Crore) S. Circuit/ Name of the Project Amount Amount No. Sanction Sanctioned Released/ Year Authorized

1. Wildlife D evelopment of Manas– 94.68 94.68 2015-16 Probitora–Nameri– Kaziranga–Dibru–Saikhowa

2. Heritage D evelopment of Tezpur – 90.98 90.97 2016-17 Majuli – Sibsagar

(ii) Details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0

Scheme in the State of Assam: (in ₹ Crore) S. Destination Name of the Sanction Sanctioned Amount No. Experience Date Cost Authorized

1. Kokrajhar Kokrajhar 2023-24 26.68 13.34 Wetland Experience

2. Jorhat Reimagining 2023-24 23.88 11.94 Cinnamara Tea Estate

(iii) Details of the projects sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) in the State of Assam: (in ₹ Crore) S. Destination Name of Sanction Sanctioned Amount No. /Category the Year Cost Authorized Experience

1. Sivasagar (Eco- Panidhing 2024-25 9.99 5.00 tourism and Bird Amrit Dharohar Sanctuary Sites)(iv) Details of the projects sanctioned under SASCI Scheme in the State

of Assam: (in ₹ Crore) S. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount No. Sanction Cost Released

1. 2024-25 Assam State Zoo Cum 97.12 Botanical Garden in Guwahati 126.64

2. 2024-25 Beautification of Rang Gharin 94.76 Sivasagar ******