**Executive Summary**
This document outlines the Ministry of Tourism's response to a parliamentary question regarding projects in Koraput and Rayagada under the Swadesh Darshan (SDS) 2.0/PRASHAD schemes. The response, dated December 15, 2025, clarifies that while the Ministry supports tourism development through various central sector schemes, no specific proposal for Koraput or Rayagada has been sanctioned under these schemes. An integrated single-window mechanism is also still under consideration.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Tourism Development Initiatives:**
* The development of tourist destinations, including basic amenities, connectivity, carrying capacity, and safety assessments, is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government (SG) / Union Territory Administration (UTA).
* The Ministry of Tourism supports these efforts through schemes like 'Swadesh Darshan (SD)', 'Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)', 'Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)', 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)', and 'Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACATID)'.
* **Status of Koraput and Rayagada Projects:**
* No proposal specific to Koraput or Rayagada has been sanctioned by the Ministry under the aforementioned schemes.
* **Community and Employment Targets:**
* Targets for community homestays, craft hubs, and local/Scheduled Tribes employment and enterprise share are primarily planned and implemented by the concerned SGs/UTAs.
* The Ministry of Tourism has not set any scheme-specific targets for these parameters.
* **Integrated Single-Window Mechanism:**
* No proposal for an integrated single-window mechanism with site-wise milestones for 2024–26, including outcomes on footfall, stays, and artisan sales, has been approved, but is under consideration.
**Impact Analysis**
**Impact**
* The State Governments/Union Territory Administrations are responsible for planning and implementing tourism and livelihood development strategies.
**Action Required**
* The State Governments/Union Territory Administrations need to submit detailed project reports (DPRs) and adhere to scheme guidelines to receive financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism.
**Impact**
* Communities in Koraput and Rayagada hoping for immediate tourism development projects may need to rely on state government initiatives.
**Action Required**
* Continue to engage with the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations on tourism initiatives, and continue to monitor the progress of the integrated single-window mechanism.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The central government ministry responsible for tourism development and related schemes.
Swadesh Darshan (SD): A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD): A central sector scheme focused on holistic development of pilgrimage destinations.
Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0): A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism, successor to Swadesh Darshan (SD).
Koraput and Rayagada: Districts in India for which tourism projects are being considered under central government schemes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2381
ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025
PROJECTS FOR KORAPUT AND RAYAGADA UNDER SDS 2.0/PRASHAD
2381. SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether projects have been sanctioned for Koraput and Rayagada
under Swadesh Darshan (SDS) 2.0/Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and
Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), if so, the details
of the sites, funds and completion timelines;
(b) the status of basic amenities such as road access, toilets, safe
viewpoints, drinking water, waste management and digital services
such as (last-mile connectivity, SOS, e-ticketing);
(c) the details of the targets for community homestays/craft hubs (e.g.
Kotpad) and local/Scheduled Tribes employment and enterprise
share;
(d) whether carrying-capacity, Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) and safety
audits of landslide/flash-flood, bridges/cliff edges have been
completed; and
(e) whether an integrated single-window mechanism with site-wise
milestones (2024–26) will be notified, with outcomes on footfall,
stays and artisan sales?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): Development of tourist destinations and tourism products
including basic amenities, connectivity, carrying capacity and safety
assessments are 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 (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based
Destination Development (CBDD)’ –a sub-scheme of SD2.0, ‘Pilgrimage
Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and
‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development(ACATID)’ complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development
by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT
Administrations/Central Agencies; subject to adherence to scheme
guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), availability of
funds, 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 Centre to Global Scale’ has also provided financial
assistance to the States for development of tourism related projects.
No proposal specific for Koraput or Rayagada has been sanctioned
by the Ministry under the above mentioned schemes.
Targets for community homestays, craft hubs or local/Scheduled
Tribes employment and enterprise share are primarily planned and
implemented by the concerned SGs/UTAs as part of their tourism and
livelihood development strategies. Ministry of Tourism has not set any
scheme-specific targets for these parameters.
No such proposal for an integrated single-window mechanism with
site-wise milestones for the period 2024–26, including outcomes on
footfall, stays and artisan sales, is under consideration.
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