Executive Summary:
This document presents the Minister of Tourism's response to questions regarding funds allocated, sanctioned, disbursed, and utilized in Rohtas and Kaimur districts of Bihar under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS) since its inception. It details financial assistance provided through various central sector schemes and initiatives. The response clarifies the role of State Governments/UT Administrations in tourism development and outlines specific projects sanctioned in Bihar under Swadesh Darshan, SD2.0, and CBDD schemes.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Tourism Development Responsibility:**
* Development and promotion of tourist destinations are primarily undertaken by State Governments/UT Administrations.
* **Ministry of Tourism's Role:**
* The Ministry complements State efforts through schemes like Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD).
* Financial assistance is extended to State Governments/UT Administrations subject to fund availability, adherence to scheme guidelines, and submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
* **Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI):**
* The Government of India provides financial assistance to States for tourism projects under SASCI.
* **Technological Integration:**
* Project proposals from States/UTs include components like digital displays, website development for online ticketing, and Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) facilities.
* **International Funding:**
* Currently, no tourism programs under the Ministry of Tourism are funded by international agencies.
* **Project Details (Bihar):**
* Specific projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan, SD2.0, and CBDD in Bihar, including circuit names, project names, sanctioned amounts, and authorized/utilized amounts, are detailed in the annexure.
* **Swadesh Darshan Scheme:**
* Tirthankar Circuit (Vaishali Arrah Masad Patna Rajgir Pawapuri Champapuri): ₹33.96 Crore Sanctioned, ₹30.04 Crore Released, ₹29.36 Crore Utilized.
* Spiritual Circuit (Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj Dharmshala Deoghar): ₹44.76 Crore Sanctioned, ₹42.52 Crore Released, ₹42.17 Crore Utilized.
* Buddhist Circuit (Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya): ₹95.18 Crore Sanctioned, Released and Utilized.
* Rural Circuit (Development of Bhitiharwa Chandrahia Turkaulia): ₹44.27 Crore Sanctioned, ₹40.31 Crore Released and Utilized.
* Spiritual Circuit (Development of Mandar Hill Ang Pradesh): ₹44.55 Crore Sanctioned, ₹42.32 Crore Released and Utilized.
* **Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme:**
* Development of the Buddhist Meditation Experience Centre, Bodh Gaya: ₹165.44 Crore Sanctioned, ₹16.54 Crore Authorized for utilization.
* **Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme:**
* Development of Tourist Facilities at Sonepur Mela Ground, Saran: ₹24.29 Crore Sanctioned, ₹2.43 Crore Authorized for utilization.
Impact Analysis:
* **State Governments/UT Administrations:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for the development and promotion of tourism destinations; can receive financial assistance from the Ministry subject to guidelines.
* *Action Required:* Submit Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), adhere to scheme guidelines, and ensure proper utilization of funds.
* **Ministry of Tourism:**
* *Impact:* Provides financial assistance and complements state efforts in tourism infrastructure development.
* *Action Required:* Ensure availability of funds, adherence to scheme guidelines, and oversee project implementation.
* **Citizens/Tourists:**
* *Impact:* Beneficiaries of improved tourism infrastructure, enhanced amenities, and technological integration at tourist sites.
* *Action Required:* Utilize the improved facilities and engage with the technological enhancements for a better tourism experience.
Key Entities Referenced
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, focused on developing theme-based tourist circuits in India.
Rohtas, Bihar: A district in the state of Bihar, India, specifically mentioned in the context of funds allocated under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
Kaimur, Bihar: A district in the state of Bihar, India, specifically mentioned in the context of funds allocated under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: The Minister of Tourism, Government of India, who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Swadesh Darshan 2.0: An evolved version of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
PRASHAD: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive, a scheme complementing tourism infrastructure development.
Bodh Gaya: A town located in Gaya district, Bihar, India, and an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. Development of the Buddhist Meditation Experience Centre is planned here under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme
Challenge Based Destination Development: A sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan for tourism infrastructure development
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1347
ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
FUNDS UNDER SDS IN ROHTAS AND KAIMUR, BIHAR
†1347. SHRI MANOJ KUMAR:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the funds allocated, sanctioned, disbursed and utilised
in Rohtas and Kaimur districts of Bihar under Swadesh Darshan
Scheme (SDS) since its inception, year-wise;
(b) the details of the technological integration being carried out under
the said scheme for improvement in tourist services and visitor
engagement particularly in the said districts;
(c) whether the Government proposes to find out the possibilities of
partnership with international agencies to enhance basic level
amenities by developing the sites in the said districts under the said
scheme;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government has prepared a comprehensive roadmap to
cover the said sites in the said districts for expansion of the said
scheme including the names of the said sites and if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): Development and Promotion of tourist destinations and tourism
products is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/
Union Territory (UT) Administration. 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 Swadesh Darshan and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and
Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ complements the
efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial
assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations; subject toavailability of funds, adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of
Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by the State Government 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.
The details of the projects sanctioned along-with funds allocated,
released/authorized and utilized under Swadesh Darshan, SD2.0 and CBDD
scheme in the state of Bihar is Annexed.
In the project proposal received from States/UTs, certain
components such as digital displays under the interpretation centre,
website development for online ticketing and Augmented Reality/ Virtual
Reality (AR/VR) facilities under the tourist information centre are included
by the concerned State Governments/UT Administrations.
Currently, no tourism programs under Ministry of Tourism are being
funded by international agencies.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO. †1347 ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025 REGARDING FUNDS
UNDER SDS IN ROHTAS AND KAIMUR, BIHAR RAISED BY SHRI MANOJ
KUMAR
Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the State
of Bihar:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Circuit / Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount Amount
Sanction Cost Released / Utilized
No.
Year Authorized
1. T irthankar Development of 33.96 30.04 29.36
Circuit Vaishali- Arrah-
Masad- Patna-
2016-17
Rajgir- Pawapuri-
Champapuri
2. S piritual Development of 44.76 42.52 42.17
Circuit Kanwaria Route:
Sultanganj –
2016-17
Dharmshala-
Deoghar
3. B uddhist Development of 95.18 95.18 95.18
Circuit Buddhist circuit-
Construction of
2016-17
Convention Centre
at Bodhgaya
4. R ural Circuit Development of 44.27 40.31 40.31
Bhitiharwa-
2017-18
Chandrahia-
Turkaulia
5. S piritual Development of 44.55 42.32 42.32
Circuit Mandar Hill & Ang
Pradesh
2017-18Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in the
State of Bihar:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Year of Destination Name of the Sanctioned Amount
No. Sanction Experience Cost Authorized for
utilization by
State
Implementing
Agency
1. 2024-25 Bodh Development of the 165.44 16.54
Gaya Buddhist Meditation
& Experience
Centre, Bodh Gaya
Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination
Development (CBDD) Scheme in the State of Bihar:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S.No. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount Authorized
Sanction Cost for utilization by
State
Implementing
Agency
1. Development of Tourist 2.43
2024-25 Facilities at Sonepur 24.29
Mela Ground, Saran
******