Parliament Question: Holistic Development of Tourist Destinations

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3515 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST DESTINATIONS 3515. SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI: SHRI MAHESH KASHYAP: SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether lesser-known spiritual, eco, rural and heritage destinations, including Nizamabad, Basar, Dharmapuri, Kondagattu and forest-based circuits of Telangana have been identified for promotion under any scheme for sustainable tourism projects; (b) the details of steps taken to diversify tourism, reduce pressure on overcrowded destinations and generate local employment; (c) whether the Government is implementing any specific scheme or project for the overall development of Chhattisgarh, especially Bastar Lok Sabha Constituency's Chitrakot Waterfall, Tirathgarh Waterfall, Kanger Valley National Park, Kutumsar Cave, Danteshwari Temple and other natural, cultural, and tribal tourist sites to promote tourism infrastructure, eco-tourism, homestay, local handicrafts and cultural tourism; (d) whether the Government has identified or proposes to support high- potential but relatively lesser-explored tourism destinations in Andhra Pradesh, including Visakhapatnam, Araku– Lambasingi, Gandikota, Papikondalu, Ahobilam and the Buddhist heritage circuit for integrated tourism infrastructure and destination development; and (e) if so, the details of projects sanctioned, under implementation or proposed for such destinations along with the financial assistance provided and expected timelines? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)(a) to (e): Development and promotion of tourism including those of lesser- known destinations is primarily done by the concerned State Government (SG)/UT Administration (UTA). However, Ministry of Tourism under its various schemes such as Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) – an initiative under Swadesh Darshan and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) etc. provides financial assistance for development of tourism infrastructure and experiences in the country, to the SGs/UTAs, on receipt of the project proposals from them including proposal of development of lesser known destinations, in synergy with the scheme guidelines, Government directions, availability of funds, inter-se priority etc. Further, under ‘Scheme for Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI) - Development of Iconic Tourist Centers to Global Scale’, Government of India has sanctioned 40 Projects in the country for Rs.3295.76 Crore during financial year 2024-25. The parameters formulated for examining the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by the States under this scheme covered connectivity to the site, existing tourism eco-system at site/destination, carrying capacity, availability of utility services, project impact and value envisaged which included expected increase in tourist footfall, increase tourist spend, new employment opportunities etc. Weightage was given to alternate destinations which address the issue of decongestion at major destination. To address challenges such as overcrowding in high-footfall destinations and to improve tourist experience, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned various interventions under the above-mentioned schemes such as Queue management complex, waiting halls, Widening of approach roads, CCTVs for tourist safety, Parking, Tourist Information Centre, last-mile connectivity, solid waste management systems, illumination, sanitation, amenities centres, interpretation facilities etc. Ministry of Tourism promotes tourism in a holistic manner including promotion of various tourism destinations and products of the country i.e. eco-tourism, homestay, local handicrafts and cultural tourism etc. through various medium including social media, websites and participation in fairs and exhibitions etc.Details of the projects sanctioned under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD and SASCI schemes in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana is annexed. ******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3515 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 REGARDING HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST DESTINATIONS RAISED BY SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI, SHRI MAHESH KASHYAP AND SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU (i) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, CBDD, SASCI, PRASHAD Scheme in the State of Andhra Pradesh: S . Name of the Project/Experience Year of Sanctioned No. Sanction/ Cost Category (in ₹ Crore) Swadesh Darshan 1. Development of Kakinada - Hope Island - 2014-15 67.83 Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary -Passarlapudi - Aduru – S Yanam – Kotipally 2. Development of Nellore- Pulikat Lake - 2015-16 49.55 Ubblamadugu Water Falls – Nelapattu- Kothakoduru- Mypadu – Ramateertham – Iskapalli 3. Development of Buddhist Circuit: 2017-18 35.24 Shalihundam- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda Amravati- Anupu Swadesh Darshan 2.0 1. Development of Suryalanka Beach 2024- 97.52 Experience 2025 2. Borra Cave Experienceat Araku 2023- 29.88 2024 CBDD 1. Enriching Buddhist Heritage and Cultural 2024- 25.00 Experiences at Nagarjuna Sagar 2025/ Culture & Heritage 2. Development of Abhobilam as a Spiritual 2024- 25.00 Odyssey at Ahobilam Temple 2025/ Spiritual SASCI 1. Enriching the Fort and Gorge Experience 2024-25 77.91in Gandikota 2. Akhanda Godavari- (Havelok Bridge & 2024-25 94.44 Pushkar Ghat) in Raja Mahendravaram PRASHAD 1. Development of Amaravati Town, Guntur 2015-16 27.77 District as a Tourist Destination 2. Development of Srisailam Temple 2017-18 43.08 3. Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narsimha Swami Vari D evasthanam at Simhachalam in Vishakhapa 2022-23 54.04 tnam Temple 4. Development of Pilgrimage Tourism 2024-25 25.33 Infrastructure in Annavaram Temple Town (ii) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, CBDD, SASCI, PRASHAD Scheme in the State of Chhattisgarh: S. Name of the Project/Experience Year of Sanctioned No. Sanction/ Cost Category (in ₹ Crore) Swadesh Darshan 1. Development of Jashpur-Kunkuri-Mainpat- 2015-16 96.10 Kamleshpur - Maheshpur -Kurdar - Sarodhadadar-Gangrel-Kondagaon– Nathiyanawagaon-Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh Swadesh Darshan 2.0 1. Bhoramdeo Corridor Development, 2024-2025 146.00 Kawardha CBDD 1. Development of Mayali Bagicha as Eco 2024-25/ 9.97 Tourism Destination at Mayali Bagicha Ecotouris m and Amrit Dharohar Sites SASCI 1. Development of Chitrotpala Film City in 2024-25 95.79 Raipur2. Development of Tribal & Cultural 2024-25 51.87 Convention Centre in Raipur PRASHAD 1. Development of Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon District, 2020-21 48.44 Chhattisgarh (iii) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, CBDD, SASCI, PRASHAD Scheme in the State of Telangana: S. Name of the Project/Experience Year of Sanctioned No. Sanction/ Cost Category (in ₹ Crore) Swadesh Darshan 1. Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in 2015-16 91.62 Mahaboobnagar district 2. Development of Mulugu- Laknavaram- 2016-17 79.87 Medavaram-Tadvai-Damaravi-Mallur Bogatha Waterfalls 3. Development of Qutub Shahi Heritage 2017-18 96.90 Park- Paigah Tombs- Hayat Bakshi Mosque- Raymond's Tomb Swadesh Darshan 2.0 1. Eco tourism zone at Ananathgiri forest 2023-24 38.01 2. Bhongir Fort Experiential Zone 2023-24 56.82 CBDD 1. Development of digital experience centre 2024-2025/ 24.85 at Bhuddhavanam Culture & Heritage 2. Development of Eco-Tourism Project at 2024-2025/ 9.98 Nizam Sagar Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites SASCI 1. Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism 2024-25 73.74 Circuit in Ramappa 2. Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat 2024-25 68.10 in NallamalaPRASHAD 1. Development of Jogulamba Devi Temple, 2020-21 38.90 Alampur 2. Development of Pilgrimage and Heritage Tourism Infrastructure at Rudreshwara 2022-23 62.00 (Ramappa) Temple, Mulugu 3. Development of Pilgrimage Infrastructure at Bhadrachalam, Bhadradri Kothagudem 2022-23 41.38 District 4. Development of Basic Amenities at godde 2024-25 4.22 ss Renuka Yellama Devasthanam ******