Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tourism responded to a parliamentary question regarding steps to strengthen cultural exchange and tourism connectivity between the North Eastern Region (NER) and Southern India. Initiatives include the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN) for air travel, Bharat Gaurav Trains, Yuva Sangam Tours, and domestic air packages. These efforts aim to build cultural integration and tourism-based livelihood opportunities.
Key Points / Main Content:
Air Connectivity:
* The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) launched the Regional Connectivity Scheme Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) on 21.10.2016 to enhance regional air connectivity and make air travel affordable.
* 53 Tourism RCS routes are operational across the country, including NER and Southern India, funded with 100% Viability Gap Funding (VGF) reimbursement by the Ministry of Tourism.
* There is no direct air connectivity under RCS-UDAN between airports in the North Eastern Region and Southern Indian airports, but indirect connectivity is available through connecting flights.
* 90 routes have been operationalised in the NER under RCS-UDAN, connecting 10 airports and 2 heliports.
Rail Connectivity:
* Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) operated 17 trips of Bharat Gaurav Trains on theme-based circuits in Financial Year 2024-25, with 9,246 tourists visiting Tamil Nadu.
* Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) was included in 4 of these trips, attracting 1,923 tourists.
* IRCTC organizes tours connecting Southern India and North East destinations as part of Yuva Sangam Tours, an initiative under Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat scheme.
Cultural Exchange Programs:
* Yuva Sangam Tours pairs institutes from the North Eastern region and Tamil Nadu for cultural exchange.
Tourism Packages:
* IRCTC conducts Domestic Air packages providing tourism connectivity between the North Eastern Region and South India, including "KERALA LUXE ESCAPE EX BAGDOGRA" and "KERALA LUXE ESCAPE EX GUWAHATI".
Tourism and Livelihood Opportunities:
* North East India offers tourism-based livelihood opportunities like community-based tourism, ecofriendly homestays, and culinary tourism.
* South India presents potential through tribal arts, rural experiences, and cultural exchange programs.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Tourism:
* Impact: Responsible for funding Tourism RCS routes and promoting tourism-linked livelihoods.
* Action Required: Continue funding and supporting initiatives that promote cultural integration and tourism.
Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA):
* Impact: Responsible for enhancing regional air connectivity through the RCS-UDAN scheme.
* Action Required: Maintain and expand the RCS-UDAN scheme to improve air connectivity between NER and Southern India.
Indian Railways/IRCTC:
* Impact: Facilitates tourism through Bharat Gaurav Trains and Yuva Sangam Tours.
* Action Required: Continue operating theme-based tours and cultural exchange programs, including destinations in both NER and Southern India.
Tourists:
* Impact: Benefit from increased connectivity and diverse tourism experiences.
* Action Required: Utilize the available tourism packages and transportation options to explore cultural sites and destinations in NER and Southern India.
Local Communities:
* Impact: Potential for increased tourism-based livelihood opportunities and preservation of heritage.
* Action Required: Participate in community-based tourism initiatives and promote local culture and traditions.
Key Entities Referenced
North Eastern Region: A region in India, frequently mentioned in the context of tourism and connectivity initiatives.
Southern India: A region in India, specifically Tamil Nadu, involved in cultural exchange and tourism connectivity initiatives with the North Eastern Region.
Tamil Nadu: A state in Southern India, highlighted for its cultural significance and participation in exchange programs.
Tiruchirappalli: A city in Tamil Nadu, also known as Trichy, recognized as a spiritual, cultural, and heritage center, and included in interregional tourism promotion plans.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry engaged to improve air connectivity between the North Eastern Region and Southern India.
Regional Connectivity Scheme Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik: A scheme launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to enhance regional air connectivity and make air travel affordable.
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation: An Indian organization that operates Bharat Gaurav Trains and organizes tours connecting Southern India and North East destinations.
Yuva Sangam Tours: An initiative by Government of India under Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat scheme to strengthen people to people connect especially between youth belonging to various StatesUTs.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2460
ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
INTER-CULTURAL TOURISM BETWEEN NER AND SOUTHERN INDIA
2460. SHRI DURAI VAIKO:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is taking steps to strengthen cultural
exchange and tourism connectivity between the North Eastern Region
(NER) and Southern India, especially Tamil Nadu;
(b) whether the Government has launched any specific schemes or
initiatives to promote inter-cultural tourism circuits, experiential travel,
or student/youth exchange programmes between the said regions;
(c) whether Tiruchirappalli, being a key spiritual, cultural and heritage
centre, is being included or considered under such inter-regional
tourism promotion plans;
(d) whether the Government has engaged with the Ministry of Civil Aviation
and Indian Railways to ensure better air and rail connectivity between
North Eastern capitals and major South Indian cities including Trichy;
and
(e) if so, the details of projects implemented or proposed and the future
roadmap for building greater cultural integration and tourism-based
livelihood opportunities through such linkages?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): Yes, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) launched the Regional
Connectivity Scheme Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) on 21.10.2016 to
enhance regional air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports in
the country and make air travel affordable to the masses.
Under this scheme, with a view to strengthen tourism connectivity, 53
Tourism RCS routes across the country including North Eastern Region (NER)
and Southern India are operationalised under Tourism - RCS (TRCS). These
routes were funded with 100% Viability Gap Funding (VGF) reimbursement by
Ministry of Tourism providing direct air connectivity to tourist destinationsand cultural sites in the country. Though there is no direct air connectivity
under RCS Udan between airports at North-Eastern region to Southern Indian
airports, indirect connectivity is available through connecting flights.
A total of 90 routes have been operationalised in the North Eastern Region
(NER) under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), connecting 10
airports and 02 heliports across the NER states.
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has informed that
total 17 trips of Bharat Gaurav Trains on theme based circuit were operated
in Financial year 2024-25 in which 9,246 tourists visited Tamil Nadu. Out of
these 17 tours, Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) was included in 04 trips and 1,923
tourists visited Tiruchirapalli (Trichy).
IRCTC has organized different tours connecting Southern Part of India and
North East destinations as a part of Yuva Sangam Tours which is an initiative
by Government of India under “Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat” scheme to
strengthen people to people connect especially between youth belonging to
various States/UTs. In the Yuva Sangam Tours, institutes from the North-
Eastern region and Tamilnadu have been paired together for the cultural
exchange.
IRCTC also conducts Domestic Air packages providing tourism connectivity
between the North Eastern Region and South India. Following table give
details in this regard:
S. No. Package Name Source Destination Duration Departure
1. KERALA LUXE Bagdogra Munnar / 6 Nights 11.10.2025
ESCAPE EX- Thekkady / / 7 Days
BAGDOGRA Alleppey /
Trivandrum /
Kochi
2. KERALA LUXE Guwahati Munnar / 6 Nights 11.10.2025
ESCAPE EX- Thekkady / / 7 Days
GUWAHATI Alleppey /
Trivandrum /
Kochi
North East India offers diverse tourism-based livelihood opportunities rooted
in cultural experiences such as community-based tourism, eco-friendly
homestays, cultural performances, nature-based activities, culinary tourism,and sustainable farming. Similarly, South India presents potential through
tribal arts, rural experiences, and cultural exchange programs.
Such cultural integration and tourism-linked livelihoods helps a sustainable
and inclusive future roadmap by preserving heritage and empowering local
communities across regions.
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