Parliament Question: Promotion of Religious Tourism in Eastern Uttar Pradesh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†3673 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 PROMOTION OF RELIGIOUS TOURISM IN EASTERN UTTAR PRADESH †3673. SHRI RAMASHANKAR VIDHARTHI RAJBHAR: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the details of funds approved for the development of historical and religious sites especially connected to the Ramayana Circuit and Buddhist Circuit in Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Purvanchal) particularly in Deoria and Ballia; and (b) whether the Government is considering providing a special package to promote religious tourism in Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Purvanchal) and create employment for local youth, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (b): Development and promotion of tourism including development of historical and religious sites is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government (SG)/UT Administration (UTA). However, the Ministry through its existing schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ – a sub-scheme of SD2.0, and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations including Uttar Pradesh; subject to adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by them, availability of funds, Government directions, inter-se priority etc. In addition, Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of IconicTourist Centres to Global Scale’ scheme, has also provided financial assistance in the year 2024-25 to the States for development of tourism projects. Sanctioning of new project under the above-mentioned schemes is a continuous process. Details of projects sanctioned under above-mentioned schemes in the State of Uttar Pradesh (UP) including in Eastern UP (Deoria, Balia etc) is annexed. Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic tourism destination. Ministry also promotes various tourism destinations including those in Uttar Pradesh through various medium including social media, websites and participation in fairs and exhibitions etc. The Ministry regularly encourages State Governments/ UT Administrations to engage with local communities and to ensure robust operation & management (O&M) of completed projects so as to increase footfall, generate local employment and enhance overall tourist satisfaction. ******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (B) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†3673 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 REGARDING PROMOTION OF RELIGIOUS TOURISM IN EASTERN UTTAR PRADESH RAISED BY SHRI RAMASHANKAR VIDHARTHI RAJBHAR (i) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the State of Uttar Pradesh: (in ₹ Crore) S. Circuit/ Name of the Project Amount No. Sanction Sanctioned Year 1. Buddhist Development of Srawasti, Kushinagar, & 2016-17 Kapilwastu 87.89 2. Ramayana Development of Chitrakootand Shringverpur 2016-17 69.45 3. Spiritual Development of Ahar-Aligarh-Kasganj- 2016-17 Sarosi (Unnao)-Pratapgarh Kausambi- 71.91 Mirzapur-Gorakhpur - Domariyaganj- Basti- Barabanki-Azamgarh-Kairana-Baghpat- Shahjahanpur 4. Spiritual Development of Bijnor-Meerut-Kanpur- 67.51 2016-17 Kanpur Dehat-Banda-Ghazipur- Salempur- Ghosi-Balia- Ambedkar Nagar-Aligarh- Fatehpur- Deoria- Mahoba-Sonbhadra- Chandauli-Mishrikh-Bhadohi 5. Heritage Development of Kalinjar Fort (Banda)- 36.65 2016-17 Maghar Dham (Sant Kabir Nagar)- Chauri Chaura, ShaheedSthal (Fatehpur)- Mahuar shaheed Sthal (Ghosi)- ShaheedSmarak(Meerut) 6. Ramayana Development of Ayodhya 127.21 2017-18 7. Spiritual Development of Jewar-Dadri-Sikandrabad- 12.03 2018-19 Noida-Khurja-Banda 8. Spiritual Development of Gorakhnath Temple 18.30 2018-19 (Gorakhpur), Devipattan Temple (Balrampur) and Vatvashni Temple (Domariyagunj)(ii) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in the State of Uttar Pradesh: (in ₹ Crore) S. Destination Name of the Experience Sanction Sanctioned No. Date Cost 1 Naimisaranya Vedic- wellness 05.03.2024 17.8 Experience 2. Prayagraj Azad Park and Dekho 05.03.2024 14.52 Prayagraj Trail Experince (iii) Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) – a sub-scheme of SD2.0 Scheme in the State of Uttar Pradesh: (in ₹ Crore) S. Destination Name of the Experience Sanction Sanctioned No. /Category Date Cost 1. Mahoba (Culture Development of Cultural 27.03.2025 24.98 & Heritage) Landscape at Mahoba (iv) Details of Project sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale scheme in the State of Uttar Pradesh: (in ₹ Crore) S. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned No. Sanction Cost 1 2024-25 Development of Bateshwar in District- 74.05 Agra 2. 2024-25 Integrated Buddhist Tourism 80.24 Development in Shrawasti (v) Details of Project sanctioned under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme in the State of Uttar Pradesh: (in ₹ Crore) S. Sanction Year Project Name Sanction Amount No. 1 2015-16 Development of Varanasi – Phase –I 18.732 2014-15 Development of Mathura-Vrindavan a 10.98 s Mega Tourist Circuit (Ph-II) 3. 2017-18 River Cruise Tourism in Ganga, Vara 9.02 nasi 4. 2014-15 Construction of Tourist Facilitation C 9.36 entre at Vrindavan 5. 2017-18 Development of Varanasi – Phase –II 44.60 6. 2018-19 Development of Infrastructure faciliti 37.59 es at Govardhan *****