**Executive Summary**
This document responds to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1223 raised by Shri Murasoli S., regarding the improvement of tourist amenities at Brihadeeswara Temple. Answered on December 8, 2025, it outlines the Government of India's approach to tourism infrastructure development, emphasizing the role of State Governments and Union Territories, and the utilization of Central Sector Schemes. It also mentions the sanctioning of a project under the ACA Scheme for Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Tourism Development Responsibility:**
* The development of tourist destinations and products primarily rests with the respective State Governments (SGs) and Union Territories (UTs).
* **Central Sector Schemes:**
* The Ministry of Tourism supplements these efforts through Central Sector Schemes like Swadesh Darshan (SD), Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACA).
* **Project Proposal Process:**
* Project proposals are formulated and submitted by State Governments/Union Territories/Central Agencies.
* Proposals are assessed based on project merit, fund availability, and adherence to scheme guidelines.
* **ACA Scheme Project:**
* A project titled "Illumination and Allied Works at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, District Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu" has been sanctioned under the ACA Scheme, with a total cost of Rs. 11.47 crore. Component-wise details are annexed.
* **Focus of Infrastructure Development:**
* Tourism infrastructure development focuses on safety, security, accessibility, and ecological preservation.
* **Sanctioned Components:**
* Components sanctioned under these schemes include: ramps, railings, CCTV surveillance systems, public address systems, signage, illumination, sound and light and multimedia laser shows, interpretation centers, queue complexes, and solid waste management systems.
* **Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple Project Components:**
* Cost of Light Fixtures: Rs 5.39 Crore
* Cost of Control Accessories and Electrical Items: Rs 1.54 Crore
* Cost of CCTV and Its Accessories: Rs 0.46 Crore
* Cost of Miscellaneous Items: Rs 0.50 Crore
* O&M Charges @10% for 3 years: Rs 0.78 Crore
* ITDC Centage (10 % of 7): Rs 0.86 Crore
* Contingency (3% of 7): Rs 0.26 Crore
* DPR Preparation Cost (Lump Sum): Rs 0.10 Crore
* GST (18% of 7): Rs 1.57 Crore
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments/Union Territories**
* **Impact:** Responsible for initiating and executing tourism development projects.
* **Action Required:** Formulate and submit project proposals aligned with the Central Sector Schemes and guidelines.
**Central Agencies**
* **Impact:** Can receive financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development.
* **Action Required:** Submit project proposals and adhere to the requirements of the Central Sector Schemes.
**Brihadeeswara Temple (and similar World Heritage Sites)**
* **Impact:** Tourist amenities will be improved.
* **Action Required:** No direct action specified in the document.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The primary ministry responsible for tourism-related activities and schemes.
Brihadeeswara Temple: The temple mentioned in the question, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
ACA (Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development): A central sector scheme by Ministry of Tourism to provide financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development.
Swadesh Darshan (SD): A central sector scheme by Ministry of Tourism focused on integrated development of theme based tourist circuits.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD): A central sector scheme by Ministry of Tourism focused on holistic development of identified pilgrimage destinations.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1223
ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
IMPROVEMENT OF TOURIST AMENITIES AT BRIHADEESWARA TEMPLE
1223. SHRI MURASOLI S:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has assessed the need for modern visitor
management systems, footfall regulation and improved tourist amenities
at the Brihadeeswara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site receiving
a high volume of domestic and international visitors;
(b) the reasons for the absence of centrally supported initiatives such as
digital visitor information systems, guided-tour infrastructure, multi-
lingual interpretation centres and heritage-safety protocols at the said
temple while similar facilities are being prioritised at such heritage
destinations in other parts of the country;
(c) whether the Union Government proposes to introduce centrally
supported schemes including visitor management, emergency-response
infrastructure and structured heritage interpretation modules at the said
temple and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Union
Government to ensure uniform national standards for visitor safety,
heritage interpretation, and digital tourism services at all World Heritage
Sites, including the Brihadeeswara Temple?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d): The development of tourist destinations and products is primarily
undertaken by the respective State Governments (SGs) and Union Territories(UTs). The Ministry of Tourism, through its ongoing Central Sector Schemes,
namely Swadesh Darshan (SD), Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual,
Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) and Assistance to Central Agencies
for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACA), supplements the efforts of the
State Governments/ Union Territories (UTs) and Central Agencies by
extending financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development.
Project proposals under these schemes are formulated and submitted
by the concerned State Governments/ Union Territories (UTs)/ Central
Agencies. The proposals received for infrastructure development are
examined and considered on the basis of the merit of the project, availability
of funds, and adherence to the prescribed scheme guidelines.
Under the ACA Scheme, the Ministry has sanctioned a project titled
“Illumination and Allied Works at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, District
Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu” at a total cost of Rs.11.47 crore. The component-wise
details of the project are annexed.
Under the aforementioned schemes, tourism-related infrastructure
development is undertaken in an inclusive, integrated, and sustainable
manner, with a focus, inter alia, on safety, security, accessibility, and
ecological preservation.
Multiple components have been sanctioned under these schemes with
the objective of enhancing visitor safety and security, accessibility, digital
tourism services, and environmental sustainability. These include, inter alia,
ramps, railings, CCTV surveillance systems, public address systems,
signages, illumination, sound and light and multimedia laser shows,
interpretation centres, queue complexes, and solid waste management
systems.
*****ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.1223 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025 REGARDING IMPROVEMENT
OF TOURIST AMENITIES AT BRIHADEESWARA TEMPLE RAISED BY SHRI
MURASOLI S.
(i) Component-wise details of the project ‘Illumination and allied works at
Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, District – Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu’ sanctioned
under ACA is as under:
S. COMPONENTS Sanctioned Cost
No. (in ₹ Crore)
1 Cost of Light fixtures 5.39
2 Cost of Control Accessories and Electrical Items 1.54
3 Cost of CCTV and Its Accessories 0.46
4 Cost of Miscellaneous Items (Mounting Cage, 0.50
Installation arrangement using Local Stones,
Cable managers etc.)
5 Subtotal (I +2+3+4) 7.89
6 O&M Charges @10% for 3 years 0.78
7 Total (5+6) 8.68
8 ITDC Centage (10 % of 7) 0.86
9 Contingency (3% of 7) 0.26
10 DPR Preparation Cost (Lump Sum) 0.10
11 GST (18% of 7) 1.57
12 GRAND TOTAL (7+8+9+10+11) 11.47
*****