Parliament Question: Promotion of Heritage and Pilgrimage Destinations in Tiruchirappalli

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5001 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 PROMOTION OF HERITAGE AND PILGRIMAGE DESTINATIONS IN TIRUCHIRAPPALLI

5001. SHRI DURAI VAIKO:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that Tiruchirappalli district, home to the renowned Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple and Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswarar Temple, continues to witness a steady rise in tourist arrivals;

(b) whether it is a fact that tourist arrivals in Tiruchirappalli has increased by about 17.2 per cent in the year 2025 with nearly 3.1 crore visitors and foreign tourist arrivals grew by around 35 per cent as per Tourism Department data;

(c) the details of the initiatives undertaken by the Government to promote these major heritage and pilgrimage destinations in Trichy at the national and international levels;

(d) whether the Government is also aware that adequate signboards indicating major tourist destinations and Tiruchirappalli International Airport are lacking at several key locations, causing inconvenience to tourists; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to coordinate with the State Government to install proper tourist signages and multilingual directional boards connecting major tourist sites and the airport and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) and (b): The Ministry of Tourism compiles the foreign and domestic tourist visits data from the information provided by the state/UT governments. The Number of domestic and foreign visits (DTV and FTV) to Tiruchirappalli district, during the last 5 years as received from the state government is annexed.As per the data, the Tiruchirappalli district continues to witness a rise in tourist arrivals. Further, as per the provisional figures for the year 2025, tourist arrivals in Tiruchirappalli have increased by 17.07 per cent with more than three crore visitors. Foreign tourist arrivals grew by 31.82 per cent.

(c): Identification, development and promotion 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 complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development in the country by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations.

The State Government has informed that, it has implemented a multi- pronged strategy involving both Assisted Schemes and State Central Funded Schemes to enhance the infrastructure, accessibility, and global visibility of Tiruchirappalli's heritage sites, such as, infrastructure development at major pilgrimage hubs at Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswarar Temple, and Rockfort Temple;

enhancement of the Cholanattu Thirupathigal Heritage & Eco- Tourism Circuit, ancillary Attractions and Connectivity Projects; modernization and provision of amenities such as solar power stations and LED lighting and various tourist facilities at Puliancholai Falls. Further, Tamil Nadu Tourism has participated in major global expos including WTM London (2022, 2024, 2025), ITB Berlin (2023), and IFTM Top Resa Paris (2024,

2025) to highlight heritage sites like those in Trichy.

(d): The State Government has informed that in certain locations in Tiruchirappalli district, directional signages and boards for major tourist destinations and the International Airport are being upgraded.

(e): The development and promotion of tourist destinations, including handling of safety and infrastructure issues like signages, is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration, with financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism. In this context, the State Government has informed that it is independently executing a comprehensive modernization of navigational infrastructure with Multilingual Standards and Strategic Placement through its own dedicated projects and international funding.

******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) AND (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5001 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 REGARDING PROMOTION OF HERITAGE AND PILGRIMAGE DESTINATIONS IN TIRUCHIRAPPALLI RAISED BY SHRI DURAI VAIKO.

Number of Domestic and Foreign Tourist Visits (DTV and FTV) to Tiruchirappalli district, during the last 5 years Year DTV FTV Total 2021 1,39,39,910 3,502 1,39,43,412 2022 2,03,65,852 76541 2,04,42,393 2023 2,98,96,654 1,27,369 3,00,24,023 2024 2,67,66,722 1,29,987 2,68,96,709 2025(P) 3,13,17,745 1,71,345 3,14,89,090 P: Provisional

Source: State Government ******