Parliament Question: Projects and Circuits Proposed under SDS 2.0 in Assam

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2428 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 PROJECTS AND CIRCUITS PROPOSED UNDER SDS 2.0 IN ASSAM

2428. SHRI JOYANTA BASUMATARY:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the number of projects and circuits proposed in Assam under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS) 2.0;

(b) the details of the measures taken to develop tourist services facilities to enhance visitor experience and satisfaction;

(c) whether there have been any delays in completion of the projects under the schemes and if so, the details thereof including the number of projects and the number of days of each project;

(d) whether any shortcomings have been noticed by the Government with respect to the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0, if so, the details thereof and the remedial steps taken thereon; and

(e) whether the Government has a monitoring mechanism to ensure effective planning and timely completion of projects, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): Development of tourism destinations and products is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government (SG)/Union Territory Administration (UTA). However, the Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’ and ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ –a sub-scheme of SD2.0 complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations; subject to adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports

(DPRs), availability of funds, inter-se priority etc.Projects sanctioned under SD2.0 scheme and CBDD, sub-scheme of SD2.0 in the state of Assam are as below:

S Scheme Name of the Experience Sanction Sanctioned No. Year Cost (in ₹ Crore)

1. SD2.0 Kokrajhar Wetland Experience 2023-24 26.68

2. Reimagining Cinnamara Tea Estate 2023-24 23.88 at Jorhat

3. CBDD Panidhing Bird Sanctuary at 2024-25 9.99 Sivasagar (Eco-tourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites) These projects are at various stages of implementation and under regular monitoring from the State Government and Government of India.

There are no shortcomings which have been noticed by the Government for SD2.0, however, while implementing the projects under SD2.0, it has been observed that in some cases, obtaining due/applicable clearances is time consuming.

Further, the projects are regularly monitored at various levels. The Guidelines for Swadesh Darshan 2.0, include National Institutional Framework comprising of Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC), Mission Directorate (MD) etc., State Institutional Framework and Destination Management Committees to be set up by State Governments/UTAs. The Ministry has also developed a Program Management Information System

(PMIS) for monitoring of its destination development related schemes as a unified digital platform to facilitate seamless information communication, sharing and reporting system in respect of the projects undertaken as part of its various schemes. Ministry of Tourism and SGs/UTAs including project implementing agencies are integral part of this system.

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