Executive Summary:
This document outlines the status of projects in Tamil Nadu under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme, as answered in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3986 on August 18, 2025. It details projects sanctioned for Kanchipuram, Velankanni, and 8 Navagraha Temples, providing information on their components, sanction year, amount, and status. The Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for tourism infrastructure development at identified religious and heritage sites.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **PRASHAD Scheme Overview:**
* The Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for tourism infrastructure development.
* Assistance is provided for identified religious and heritage sites across the country, including Tamil Nadu.
* Proposals are examined based on guidelines, with financial aid contingent on meeting conditions and fund availability.
* **Projects Sanctioned in Tamil Nadu:**
* **Development of Kanchipuram (Sanctioned 2016-17):**
* Sanctioned Amount: Rs. 13.99 Crore.
* Status: Completed.
* Components: Tourist Information Centre, Cloak Room, RO Plant, Pathway, Signages, Parking Facilities, Security Room, Sanitary Block, Tourist Interpretation Centre, Rejuvenation of Natural Water Bodies/Temple Tanks, Compound Wall, Entry/Entrance Arch Gate, Seating Facilities.
* **Development of Velankanni (Sanctioned 2016-17):**
* Sanctioned Amount: Rs. 4.86 Crore.
* Status: Completed.
* Components: Paver Block Road, Toilet Block, Compound Wall, Retaining Wall, Pathway with Rails, Seating Benches, Street Lighting, CCTV System with Control Room.
* **Development of 8 Navagraha Temples (Sanctioned 2024-25):**
* Sanctioned Amount: Rs. 40.94 Crore.
* Status: Ongoing.
* Components: Waiting Lounge, Cloak Room, Toilet, Navagraha Celestial Park, Rainwater Harvesting, Directional Signage.
* **Dharmapuri Lok Sabha Constituency:**
* The document does not explicitly address whether any proposals from Tamil Nadu specifically for Dharmapuri Lok Sabha Constituency are currently under consideration.
* **Expansion of PRASHAD Scheme:**
* The document does not explicitly address the expansion of the PRASHAD Scheme to include additional spiritual and heritage destinations in Tamil Nadu.
Impact Analysis:
State Government/Union Territory Administrations:
Impact: Receives financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism for tourism infrastructure development at religious and heritage sites.
Action Required: Submit proposals for projects, adhere to guidelines, and fulfill stipulated conditions for financial assistance.
Ministry of Tourism:
Impact: Responsible for providing financial assistance and overseeing the development of tourism infrastructure under the PRASHAD scheme.
Action Required: Examine proposals, ensure adherence to guidelines, and allocate funds based on availability and project merit.
Citizens/Tourists:
Impact: Benefit from improved tourism infrastructure, amenities, and facilities at religious and heritage sites.
Action Required: No specific action required.
Tamil Nadu (Specifically Kanchipuram, Velankanni, and 8 Navagraha Temples):
Impact: Receives funding for infrastructure development, leading to enhanced tourism experiences and potential economic growth.
Action Required: Ensure timely completion of ongoing projects and effective utilization of sanctioned funds.
Key Entities Referenced
PRASHAD Scheme: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive, a scheme by the Ministry of Tourism for developing tourism infrastructure at religious and heritage sites.
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and policies relating to the development and promotion of tourism in India.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India where the projects under the PRASHAD scheme are being implemented.
SHRI MANI A: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding PRASHAD scheme projects in Tamil Nadu.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism who answered the question regarding PRASHAD scheme projects in Tamil Nadu.
Kanchipuram: A city in Tamil Nadu, one of the sites where development is taking place under the PRASHAD scheme.
Velankanni: A town in Tamil Nadu, another site where development is taking place under the PRASHAD scheme.
Dharmapuri Lok Sabha Constituency: A Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu for which proposals under the PRASHAD Scheme were inquired about.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3986
ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025
PROJECTS UNDER PRASHAD SCHEME IN TAMIL NADU
3986. SHRI MANI A:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the status of major projects undertaken in Tamil Nadu under the
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive
(PRASHAD) scheme, such as the development of heritage/spiritual
destinations and the expected completion timelines;
(b) the details of the specific infrastructure components developed under
the scheme in Tamil Nadu, such as tourism facilities, amenities,
approach roads, lighting, signages, interpretation centres and eco-
friendly solutions;
(c) whether any proposals from Tamil Nadu specifically for Dharmapuri Lok
Sabha Constituency are currently under consideration or awaiting
approval under the PRASHAD Scheme and if so, the details and reasons
for any delays; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to expand the coverage of the
PRASHAD Scheme to include additional spiritual and heritage
destinations in Tamil Nadu, especially in underserved districts?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d): Development of tourist destinations and products is primarily
undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT)
Administration. The Ministry of Tourism under the “Pilgrimage Rejuvenation
and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive” (PRASHAD) provides financial
assistance to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for
development of tourism infrastructure at identified religious and heritage
sites across the country, including the State of Tamil Nadu.Under the scheme, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 3 projects in
the State of Tamil Nadu namely Development of Kanchipuram, Development
of Velankanni and Development of 8 Navagraha Temples. The details of
these projects is placed at Annexure.
Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations
for financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process. The
proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribed guidelines
and financial assistance is extended for such projects subject to fulfillment
of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.
*****ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.3986 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025 REGARDING PROJECTS
UNDER PRASHAD SCHEME IN TAMIL NADU RAISED BY SHRI MANI A
List of Projects sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in the State of Tamil
Nadu is as under:
(Rs. in Crore)
S. Project Components Sanction Sanction Status
No. Name Year Amount
1 Development Tourist Information 2016-17 13.99 Completed
of Centre, Cloak Room, RO
Kanchipuram Plant, Pathway,
Signages, Parking
Facilities, Security
Room, Sanitary Block,
Tourist Interpretation
Centre, Rejuvenation of
Natural Water
Bodies/Temple Tanks,
Compound Wall,
Entry/Entrance Arch &
Gate, Seating Facilities
2 Development Paver Block Road, Toilet 2016-17 4.86 Completed
of Block, Compound Wall,
Velankanni Retaining Wall, Pathway
with Rails, Seating
Benches, Street
Lighting, CCTV System
with Control Room
3 Development Waiting Lounge, Cloak 2024-25 40.94 Ongoing
of 8 Room, Toilet, Navagraha
Celestial Park,
Navagraha
Rainwater Harvesting,
Temples
Directional Signage
******