Parliament Question: Integrated Tourism Development of Rohtasgarh Fort

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2435 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 INTEGRATED TOURISM DEVELOPMENT OF ROHTASGARH FORT

2435. SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has received any proposal from the State Government of Bihar for the integrated tourism development of Rohtasgarh Fort under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), PRASHAD or any other Central scheme and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of proposals received, approved or pending along with the funds sanctioned and released during the last five years;

(c) whether the Government has undertaken any assessment of tourism infrastructure gaps at Rohtasgarh Fort, including road connectivity, visitor amenities, interpretation centres, digital ticketing, sanitation, accommodation and emergency services and if so, the details thereof;

and

(d) the expected employment opportunities likely to be generated for local youth through tourism, hospitality, handicrafts and allied services? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): Ministry of Tourism through its schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘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 of the State Governments (SGs)/Union Territory Administrations (UTAs) by extending financial assistance; subject to adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports

(DPRs) by them, availability of funds, Government directions, inter-se priority etc.In addition, Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ scheme, has also provided financial assistance to the States including Bihar in the year 2024-25 for development of tourism projects.

Assessment and Identification of infrastructure gaps including road connectivity, visitor amenities, interpretation centres, digital ticketing, sanitation, accommodation and emergency services, is primarily undertaken by the concerned SGs/UTAs at the time of formulating DPR by them before submission to the Ministry.

Submission of project proposals by SG/UTA, including the Government of Bihar, for tourism infrastructure development is a continuous process. At present, no proposal for the integrated tourism development of Rohtasgarh Fort is under consideration in the Ministry of Tourism.

Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned multiple projects under aforesaid schemes in the state of Bihar. Details of the projects sanctioned under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD and SASCI schemes in the state of Bihar is annexed.

The Ministry regularly encourages State Governments/ UT Administrations to engage with local communities and to ensure robust operation & management (O&M) of completed projects so as to increase footfall, generate local employment and enhance overall tourist satisfaction.

******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2435 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 REGARDING INTEGRATED TOURISM DEVELOPMENT OF ROHTASGARH FORT RAISED BY SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH

(i) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the

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

1. T irthankar Developmentof Vaishali- Arrah- 33.96 29.36 2016-17 Masad-Patna-Rajgir-Pawapuri- Champapuri

2. Spiritual Development of Kanwaria Route: 44.76 42.17 2016-17 Sultanganj – Dharmshala-Deoghar

3. Buddhist Development of Buddhist circuit- 95.18 95.18 2016-17 Construction of Convention Centreat Bodhgaya

4. Rural Development of Bhitiharwa- 44.27 40.31 2017-18 Chandrahia-Turkaulia

5. Spiritual Development of Mandar Hill &Ang 44.55 42.32 2017-18 Pradesh

(ii) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in the

State of Bihar: (Amount in ₹Crore) S.N. Year of Destination Name of the Sanctioned Amount Sanction Experience Amount Authorized

1. 2024-25 Bodh Gaya Development of the 165.44 16.54 Buddhist Meditation & Experience Centre, Bodh Gaya

(iii) Details of Project sanctioned under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme in the State of

Bihar:(Amount in ₹Crore) S.N. Project Name Sanction Sanctioned Amount Year Amount Released/ Authorized

1. Development at Patna Sahib 2015-16 29.62 29.62

2. Development of basic facilities at V 2014-15 3.63 3.63 ishnupad temple, Gaya, Bihar

3. Development of Ambika Bhawani T 2024-25 13.29 -- emple, Saran

(iv) Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme in the State of Bihar: (Amount in ₹Crore) S.N. Year of Name of the Category Sanctioned Amount Sanction Project Amount Authorized

1. 2024-25 Development Saran Dist. (Sonepur 24.29 2.43 of Sonepur Fair) (Culture & Fair Site Heritage)

(v) Details of Project sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme in the State of Bihar: (Amount in ₹Crore) S.N. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount Sanction Amount Released

1. 2024-25 Development of Matsyagandha 97.61 Lake in Saharsa 97.09

2. 2024-25 Karamchat Eco-Tourism and 49.51 Adventure Hub in Karamchat ******