**Executive Summary**
This document contains the Minister of Tourism's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. †1255, answered on December 8, 2025, concerning financial assistance for tourism infrastructure in Hisar and Sonipat. It clarifies the role of the Ministry in supporting tourism development through various schemes and provides details of projects sanctioned in Haryana under these schemes. No specific deadlines or action items are mentioned other than the continuous process of receiving and examining proposals.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government's Role:**
* Development of tourist destinations is primarily the responsibility of State Governments (SG) or Union Territory Administrations (UTA).
* The Ministry of Tourism complements these efforts through central sector schemes.
* **Ministry of Tourism Schemes:**
* The Ministry provides financial assistance through schemes like:
* Swadesh Darshan (SD) and 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)
* Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA) for Tourism Infrastructure Development.
* Assistance is subject to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), fund availability, and inter-se priority.
* Under the 'Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), 40 projects in 23 States were sanctioned with Rs.3295.76 Crore in Financial Year 2024-25.
* **Current Status of Hisar and Sonipat Proposals:**
* No proposal is currently under consideration for the development of Mahabir Stadium, Fort of Fatehabad, agro-based tourism, rural tourist sites in Hisar district, and Sonipat region under the mentioned schemes.
* Receiving proposals for financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process.
* **Project Sanctions in Haryana:**
* Annexure provides details of projects sanctioned in Haryana under the following schemes:
* Swadesh Darshan Scheme
* Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme
* Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme
* Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACATID) Scheme
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** *State Governments (SG) and Union Territory Administrations (UTA)*
**Impact**
*The main point of contact for tourism infrastructure development and are primarily responsible for tourist destinations.*
**Action Required**
*To submit project proposals adhering to scheme guidelines to potentially receive financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism*
**Stakeholder:** *Central Agencies involved in Tourism Infrastructure Development*
**Impact**
*Eligible to receive financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development projects.*
**Action Required**
*To submit project proposals adhering to scheme guidelines to potentially receive financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism*
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The central government ministry responsible for the policy and schemes related to tourism.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A centrally sponsored scheme for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in India.
PRASAD scheme: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive: A national mission to beautify and upgrade pilgrimage sites.
Hisar: One of the two main locations targeted for tourism infrastructure development in this policy.
Sonipat: One of the two main locations targeted for tourism infrastructure development in this policy.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1255
ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR TOURISM
INFRASTRUCTURE IN HISAR AND SONIPAT
†1255. SHRI JAI PARKASH:
SHRI SATPAL BRAHAMCHARI:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether extensive improvement along with additional financial
assistance is required to develop the sites of historical, cultural,
religious and natural importance in Hisar and Sonipat Lok Sabha
Constituencies;
(b) whether the Government has approved any schemes or contemplates
providing financial assistance for the amenities like road
connectivity, lighting facility, parking, way-side facility, signage,
information centre boards, tourist facilitation centre, drinking water
and toilet in Hisar district and Sonipat region under the centrally
sponsored schemes like Swadesh Darshan Scheme, PRASAD scheme
or through other special grants;
(c) whether the Government has received any proposal for the
development of Mahabir Stadium, Fort of Fatehabad, agro based
tourism and rural tourist sites in Hisar;
(d) if so, the current status of sanctioned and pending projects along with
the details of financial aid and the steps being taken to promote
tourism in the region;
(e) whether any proposal is under consideration of the Government to
include Sonipat region under the Swadesh Darshan or PRASAD
schemes and to allocate funds for development of major sites of this
region; and
(f) if so, the details of the financial assistance received till date along
with the progress of the ongoing projects and the future plans to
further strengthen tourism infrastructure?
ANSWERTHE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (f): The development of tourist destinations and sites of historical,
cultural, religious and natural importance is primarily undertaken by the
respective State Government (SG) or 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 SGs/UTAs/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 ‘Special Assistance to
States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist
Centres to Global Scale’ sanctioned 40 projects in 23 States for Rs.3295.76
Crore in the country in Financial Year 2024-25, with the primary objective to
comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding and
marketing them at global scale.
No proposal is currently under consideration for the development of
Mahabir Stadium, Fort of Fatehabad, agro based tourism, rural tourist sites
in Hisar district and Sonipat region under the aforementioned schemes.
Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations/
Central Agencies 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.
The details of projects sanctioned under aforesaid schemes of the
Ministry of Tourism in the state of Haryana is annexed.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.†1255 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025 REGARDING FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE FOR TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE IN HISAR AND SONIPAT
RAISED BY SHRI JAI PARKASH AND SHRI SATPAL BRAHAMCHARI
(i) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the
State of Haryana:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S . Circuit / Name of the Project Sanctioned
No. Sanction Year Amount
1. K rishna Circuit Development of Tourism 77.39
2016-17 Infrastructures at places related to
Mahabharata in Kurukshetra
(ii) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in
the State of Haryana:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S . Year of Destination Name of the Experience Sanctioned
No. Sanction Amount
1. 2024-25 Panchkula Development of Adventure 26.68
Tourism Hub at TikkarTaal
and Adventure Park
2. 2024-25 Panchkula Rejuvenation of Yadavindra 65.82
Garden
(iii) Details of Project sanctioned under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and
Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme in the State of
Haryana:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Project Name Sanction Sanctioned
No. Year Amount
1. Development of Mata Mansa Devi Temple
and Nada Saheb Gurudwara in Panchkula 2019-20 48.53
District(iv) Details of Project sanctioned under Assistance to Central Agencies for
Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACATID)Scheme in the State of
Haryana:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Project Name Sanction Year Sanctioned
No. Amount
1. Implementation of Multimedia /Laser 30-04-2013 5.00
show at Tilyar Lake
2. Sound and Light Show at Yadavindra 16-10-2017 6.00
Gardens, Pinjore, Haryana.
3. Kurukshetra Railway Station 22-01-2020 3.02
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