Parliament Question: Promotion of Caravan Tourism

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3764 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 PROMOTION OF CARAVAN TOURISM 3764. SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has formulated any policy or guidelines for promotion and regulation of caravan tourism and caravan camping parks in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof, along with States and destinations identified, funding pattern, budget allocated and implementing agencies; (c) whether the Government recognises that caravan tourism can promote coastal, eco, adventure and wildlife tourism, particularly in remote areas, forests, deserts, beaches and riversides, while ensuring adherence to quality and safety norms; (d) the details of the standards, safety protocols and environmental safeguards prescribed for caravan parks and operators; (e) the details of the funds allocated, released and utilised for development of caravan infrastructure during the last five years, State and district-wise for Andhra Pradesh including Kakinada; (f) whether any caravan tourism projects have been approved in Andhra Pradesh; and (g) if so, the details thereof, including locations, implementing agencies and projected employment generation? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (g): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including caravan tourism is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government / Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry of Tourism promotes India in a holistic manner, through various initiatives.The Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ extends financial assistance to the State Governments / UT Administrations for tourism infrastructure development in the country. The central financial assistance is being extended according to guidelines and based on proposals / detailed project reports received from the States and UT Governments. The Ministry of Tourism has not supported any Caravan Tourism Project in Andhra Pradesh. However, the list of other infrastructure projects sanctioned in Andhra Pradesh is given at Annexure. ******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3764 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 REGARDING PROMOTION OF CARAVAN TOURISM RAISED BY SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS List of projects sanctioned in the State of Andhra Pradesh: S. Name of Project Amount Status No. Sanctioned (in ₹ Crore) A Swadesh Darshan 1.0 i. D evelopment of Kakinada - Hope Island - 67.83 Completed Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary - Passarlapudi - Aduru - S Yanam – Kotipally (March 2015) ii. D evelopment of Nellore - Pulikat Lake - 49.55 Completed Ubblamadugu Waterfalls – Nelapattu- Kothakoduru- Mypadu - Ramateertham – Iskapalli (December 2015) iii. D evelopment of Buddhist Circuit: 35.24 Completed Shalihundam- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda - Amravati- Anupu (September 2017) Total Sanction Cost 152.62 B Swadesh Darshan 2.0 i. B orra Cave Experience Araku-Lambasingi 29.88 Ongoing (March 2024) (32.31% physical progress) ii. D evelopment of Suryalanka Beach 97.52 Ongoing Experience, Bapatla (March 2025) (16.57% physical progress) Total Sanction Cost 127.40 C Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) i. Enriching Buddhist Heritage and Cultural 25.00 Ongoing Experiences at Nagarjuna Sagar (March (21.27% 2025) physical progress) ii. Ahobilam-A spiritual Odyssey (March 2025) 24.99 Ongoing (34.39% physical progress) Total Sanction Cost 49.99D PRASHAD i. Development of Amaravati Town, Guntur 27.77 Completed District as a Tourist Destination (July 2020) ii. Development of Srisailam Temple (October 43.08 Completed 2021) iii. Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narsimha Swami Vari 54.04 Ongoing Devasthanam at Simhachalam in (95.58% Vishakhapatnam Temple (December 2022) physical progress) iv. Development of Pilgrimage Tourism 25.33 Ongoing Infrastructure in Annavaram Temple Town (33.11% (December 2024) physical progress) Total Sanction Cost 150.22 E Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) i. Gandikota- Enriching the Fort and Gorge 77.91 Ongoing Experience (November 2024) (49.16% physical progress) ii. Akhanda Godavari: (Havelock Bridge & 94.44 Ongoing Pushkar Ghat) (31.78% (November 2024, Revised Sanction in Dec physical 2025) progress) Total Sanction Cost 172.35 F Assistance to Central Agencies i. Sound and Light Show at Puttaparthy, Andhra 7.08 Completed Pradesh (November 2017) ii. Construction of Cruise-Cum-Costal Cargo 38.50 Completed Terminal at Channel berth area in Outer Harbour of Visakhapatnam Port (December 2018) iii. Tirupati Railway Station (February 2017) 5.75 Completed iv. Glass Top Coaches: 4.00 Completed 1. Vizag-Arakku Valley Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. (2017-18) Total Sanction Cost 55.33 Total Central Assistance 707.91 ********