Official Gazette Notification Text
Official TranscriptGOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2565 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 NEW TOURISM PROJECTS IN KERALA 2565. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the details of new tourism projects sanctioned or approved for the State of Kerala during the last five years and the current year, year, project and district-wise; (b) the details of...
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2565 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 NEW TOURISM PROJECTS IN KERALA
2565. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the details of new tourism projects sanctioned or approved for the State of Kerala during the last five years and the current year, year, project and district-wise;
(b) the details of the total funds allocated, released and utilised for the said projects, year-wise;
(c) whether any projects under Swadesh Darshan Scheme, PRASHAD Scheme or other Central tourism initiatives are currently under implementation in Kerala, if so, the details along with the current status thereof;
(d) whether the Government proposes to sanction new tourism circuits, eco-tourism hubs, cruise tourism infrastructure, heritage conservation projects or digital tourism initiatives in Kerala; and
(e) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote sustainable tourism and employment generation in Kerala through Central assistance? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): The Ministry revamped its Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with the focus to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations and sanctioned 53 projects for Rs.2208.31 Crore in the country including Kerala. The scheme focuses on implementation of sustainable and responsible tourism practices in various projects and initiatives and also encourages adoption of principles of sustainable tourism viz. environmental sustainability, socio-cultural sustainability and economic sustainability including employment generation. Under SD2.0 scheme and Challenge Based Destination Development (an initiative under Swadesh Darshanscheme), financial assistance for development of tourism infrastructure and experiences in the country is extended to the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations on receipt of the project proposals from them, in synergy with the scheme guidelines, Government directions, availability of funds, inter-se priority etc.
Sanctioning of projects under applicable schemes is an ongoing process. A range of components which may enhance tourism facilitation at the destination are considered for sanctioning as per project requirement including those related to sustainability, safety, sanitation, digital initiatives etc.
In addition, the Ministry under its ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) also sanctions projects to the State Governments/UT Administrations for integrated development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.
Details of the projects sanctioned under SD2.0 & CBDD, which are at different stages of implementation and PRASHAD schemes in the state of Kerala is annexed.
Government of India in 2024-25 sanctioned the projects ‘Ashtamudi Biodiversity and Eco-recreational Hub in Kollam’ for Rs.59.71 Crore and ‘Global Gateway to Malabar’s Cultural Crucible in Sargaalaya’ for Rs.95.34 Crore under its initiative for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)-Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ and these projects are at implementation stage.
********ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2565 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING NEW TOURISM PROJECTS IN KERALA RAISED BY SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH Details of the projects sanctioned under SD2.0, CBDD & PRASHAD schemes
in the state of Kerala:- Scheme Year of Name of the Sanction Amount Status Sanction project Amount released/ (Rs. In utilized/ Crore) authorized for utilization (Rs. In Crore) Swadesh 2024-25 Alappuzha: A 93.18 9.32 Implementation Darshan Global Water Stage
2.0 Wonderland 2024-25 Enhancement 75.87 7.59 Do of Tourist Experience at Malampuzha Garden and Leisure Park 2023-24 Kumarakom 13.81 1.38 Do Bird Sanctuary Experience CBDD 2024-25 Varkala- 25.00 2.50 Do Dakshin Kashi 2024-25 Thalassery: 25.00 2.50 Do The Spritiual Nexus PRASHAD 2016-17 Development 45.19 45.19 Physically at Guruvayur complete Temple *****