Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tourism addressed questions regarding the promotion of riverfront religious tourist destinations. The Ministry supports State Governments/UTs through financial assistance for infrastructure development via schemes like Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD. Promotional activities are undertaken to increase tourist footfall. Cruise tourism development is supported through various schemes and initiatives.
Key Points / Main Content:
Financial Assistance and Infrastructure Development:
* The Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to State Governments/UTs for developing tourism-related infrastructure, including riverfront religious destinations, through schemes like Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, and Assistance to Central Agencies.
* Infrastructure projects aim to increase tourist footfall and improve the overall tourist experience.
* Projects sanctioned in Telangana under PRASHAD include the development of Jogulamba Devi Temple, Rudreshwara Ramappa Temple, pilgrimage infrastructure at Bhadrachalam, and basic amenities at goddess Renuka Yellama Devasthanam.
* Projects sanctioned in Telangana under Swadesh Darshan include Eco, Tribal and Heritage Circuits as well as Experiential Zones and Eco tourism zones.
* Projects sanctioned in Telangana under Challenge Based Destination Development CBDD, include Digital Experience Centre at Bhuddhavanam and Development of EcoTourism Project at Nizam Sagar.
* Projects sanctioned in Telangana under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment SASCI Scheme include Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit and Somasilla Wellness Spiritual Retreat.
* Projects sanctioned in Telangana under Assistance to Central Agencies for Infrastructure Development include Multimedia Laser Show with Water Screen and Musical Fountain at Sanjeevaiah Park, Design, Supply, Installation, Testing Commissioning of Digital Multimedia Technology and Lightings at Osmania Arts University, Hyderabad Railway Station and Facade illumination of Kanchiguda Railway.
Promotion of Tourism:
* The Ministry promotes tourism destinations and products through events, websites, social media, fairs, and festivals.
* Development and promotion of cruise tourism are primarily undertaken by State Governments/UT Administrations, with the Ministry providing support through schemes and initiatives.
* A project for the development of Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada, and Tampara in Odisha has been sanctioned under the Coastal Circuit of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, including road development, tourist reception centres, jetties, water sports equipment, and cruise boats.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/UT Administrations:
Impact: Receive financial assistance and support from the Ministry of Tourism for developing tourism infrastructure and promoting destinations.
Action Required: Utilize the provided schemes and initiatives to develop and promote tourism, including cruise tourism, in their respective regions.
Central Agencies:
Impact: Receive financial assistance for infrastructure development.
Action Required: Utilize the funding to improve tourism-related infrastructure.
Tourists (National and International):
Impact: Benefit from improved infrastructure and enhanced tourism experiences at various destinations.
Action Required: No direct action required; benefit from the improvements and promotional activities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian governmental body responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and policies relating to the development and promotion of tourism in India.
Telangana: A state in India where riverfront religious tourist destinations are being developed and promoted.
Odisha: A state in India where cruise tourism is being boosted in the coastal districts.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism to develop theme-based tourist circuits in India.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism focused on developing and beautifying pilgrimage destinations.
Gopalpur: A coastal town and port in Odisha, India, where tourism is being promoted under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
Ramappa Temple, Mulugu: Also known as Rudreshwara temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Mulugu district, Telangana, where pilgrimage and heritage tourism infrastructure is being developed.
Bhadrachalam, BhadradriKothagudem District: A temple town located in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana, known for its Sri Rama Temple, where pilgrimage infrastructure is being developed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2467
ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
PROMOTION OF RIVERFRONT RELIGIOUS TOURIST DESTINATIONS
2467. SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI:
SHRI AVIMANYU SETHI:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has identified any riverfront
religious/tourist destinations in Telangana for tourism development
and promotion during the last five years and the current year;
(b) if so, the details of the total number of such destinations identifies
and the steps taken by the Government to promote these sites
among national and international tourists during the recent years;
(c) whether any increase in footfall was noticed at these destinations
due to Government interventions and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the potential of developing cruise tourism at these sites in the
upcoming years along with the approximate expenditure for
infrastructural development thereof; and
(e) whether the Government has any plans to boost cruise tourism in the
coastal districts of Odisha, specifically at ports such as Dhamara,
Paradeep and Gopalpur?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c): The Ministry of Tourism through its ongoing schemes of
Swadesh Darshan, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage
Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for
Tourism Infrastructure Development’ complements the efforts of the
State Governments (SGs)/UT Administrations (UTs)/ Central Agencies by
extending financial assistance to them for developing tourism related
infrastructure in the country including the State of Telangana.
The detail of infrastructure development projects including
riverfront religious/tourist destinations undertaken in the State of
Telangana is given in the Annexure.These infrastructure development projects intend to increase the
footfall and overall tourist experience, among others.
In addition, the Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing endeavour
promotes various tourism destinations and products of the country
through various promotional activities such as events, website, social
media promotions, fairs and festivals, etc.
(d): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products,
including cruise tourism is undertaken by the respective State
Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry
complements the efforts of States/UTs through various schemes and
initiatives for development of tourism, including Cruise Tourism.
(e): The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned a project “Development of
Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada and Tampara” in Odisha under the Coastal
Circuit of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, to promote tourism along the
coastal belt and includes major components such as road development,
tourist reception centres, jetties, water sports equipment, cruise boats,
etc.
*****ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.2467 ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025 REGARDING PROMOTION
OF RIVERFRONT RELIGIOUS TOURIST DESTINATIONS RAISED BY SHRI
ARVIND DHARMAPURI AND SHRI AVIMANYU SETHI
List of Project under PRASHAD Scheme in Telangana
Sr. Name of the Project Sanctioned
No. Cost (Rs. Crore)
1 Development of Jogulamba Devi Temple, Alampur 38.90
2 Development of Pilgrimage and Heritage Tourism 62.00
Infrastructure at Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple,
Mulugu
3 Development of Pilgrimage Infrastructure at 41.38
Bhadrachalam, BhadradriKothagudem District
4 Development of Basic Amenities at goddess 4.22
Renuka Yellama Devasthanam
List of Projects under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in Telangana
Sr. Circuit Name/ Name of the Project Amount
No. Sanction Year Sanctioned
(Rs. Crore)
1 Eco Circuit Development of Eco Tourism 91.62
2015-16 Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district
2 Tribal Circuit Development of Mulugu- 79.87
2016-17 Laknavaram- Medavaram- Tadvai-
Damaravi- Mallur- Bogatha
Waterfalls
3 Heritage Development of Qutub Shahi 96.90
Circuit Heritage Park- PaigahTombs- Hayat
2017-18 Bakshi Mosque- Raymond's Tomb
List of Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in
Telangana
Sr. Destination Name of the Experience Sanctioned Cost
No. (Rs. Crore)
1 Bhongir Bhongir Fort Experiential Zone 56.81
2 Ananathagiri Eco tourism zone at Ananathgiri 38.00
forestList of Projects sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination
Development (CBDD), in Telangana
Sr. Sanctioned Cost
Name of the Project
No. (Rs. Crore)
Digital Experience Centre at Bhuddhavanam in
1 24.85
Nalgonda
Development of Eco-Tourism Proiect at Nizam
2 9.98
Sagar, Kamareddy
List of Projects sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for Capital
Investment (SASCI Scheme) in Telangana
Sr. Name of the Project Sanctioned Cost
No. (Rs. Crore)
1 Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit in 73.74
Ramappa
2 Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat in 68.10
Nallamala
List of Projects sanctioned under ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for
Infrastructure Development’ in Telangana
Sr. Name of the Project Amount
No. Sanctioned
(Rs. Crore)
1 Multimedia Laser Show with Water Screen and 50.00
Musical Fountain at Sanjeevaiah Park, Hyderabad,
Telangana
2 Design, Supply, Installation, Testing & 11.79
Commissioning of Digital Multimedia Technology
and Lightings at Osmania Arts University,
Hyderabad Telangana
3 Hyderabad Railway Station 4.41
4 Facade illumination of Kanchiguda Railway 3.41
*****