**Executive Summary:**
The Ministry of Tourism addresses Lok Sabha Question No. 165 regarding the promotion of tourism in Tamil Nadu. The Ministry supports the State's efforts through schemes like Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, and Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), and Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI). Several projects have been sanctioned in Tamil Nadu for the development of various sites and infrastructure. Details of sanctioned projects under various schemes are annexed.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Government's Role:** Tourism development is primarily the responsibility of State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.
* **Ministry of Tourism's Support:** The Ministry provides financial assistance through various schemes.
* **Scheme Requirements:** States/UTs must adhere to scheme guidelines, submit Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), and meet interse priority and resource availability criteria to receive financial support.
* **Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI):** 40 projects were sanctioned in 23 States in FY 2024-25 for developing iconic tourist centers, global branding, marketing, and responsible tourism.
* **Projects in Tamil Nadu:** Multiple projects are sanctioned in Tamil Nadu under various schemes for spiritual sites, heritage locations, thematic circuits, and tourism infrastructure, including:
* Rameswaram Island
* Thanjavur
* Devala The Nilgiris
* Mamallapuram
* Velankanni
* **Specific Project Details (Annexed):**
* **Swadesh Darshan Scheme:**
* Coastal Circuit Development of Chennai - Mamamallapuram - Rameshwaram - Manpadu - Kanyakumari (Sanctioned 2016-17): ₹73.13 crore
* **Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme:**
* Immersive experience at Shore Temple, Mamallapuram (Sanctioned 2023-24): ₹30.02 crore
* **Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme:**
* Iconic Transformation of Rameswaram (Sanctioned 2024-25): ₹20.01 crore
* **Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme:**
* Development of Nandavanam Heritage Park in Mammallapuram (Sanctioned 2024-25): ₹99.67 crore
* Garden of Flowers in Devala (Sanctioned 2024-25): ₹70.23 crore
* **PRASHAD Scheme:**
* Development of Kanchipuram (Sanctioned 2016-17): ₹13.99 crore
* Development of Velankanni (Sanctioned 2016-17): ₹4.86 crore
* Development of 8 Navagraha Temples (Sanctioned 2024-25): ₹40.94 crore
* **Assistance to Central Agencies Scheme:**
* Cruise Passenger Facilities Centre in the existing Passenger Terminal at Chennai Port, Chennai Port Trust (Sanctioned 24.09.2012): ₹1724.66 Lakh
* Illumination and allied works at Gangai Konda Cholapuram Temple, District Ariyalur, ITDC (Sanctioned 31.03.2025): ₹1147.52 Lakh
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Tamil Nadu State Government/Union Territory Administrations:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for tourism development within the state and can leverage central government schemes for financial support.
* *Action Required:* Adhere to scheme guidelines, submit DPRs, and meet prioritization criteria to access funding.
* **Ministry of Tourism:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for providing financial assistance and overseeing the development of tourism infrastructure in Tamil Nadu.
* *Action Required:* Ensure proper allocation and disbursement of funds, monitor project progress, and evaluate the impact of the schemes.
* **Central Agencies (e.g., Chennai Port Trust, ITDC):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing specific projects sanctioned under the "Assistance to Central Agencies" scheme.
* *Action Required:* Execute projects according to the sanctioned plans and timelines.
* **Citizens and Tourists:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from improved tourism infrastructure, enhanced tourist destinations, and a more positive tourism experience in Tamil Nadu.
* *Action Required:* None
Key Entities Referenced
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India, the primary focus of the tourism promotion efforts described in the document.
Swadesh Darshan: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism to develop theme-based tourist circuits in India.
PRASHAD: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive, a scheme focused on developing pilgrimage destinations.
Challenge Based Destination Development CBDD: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism for destination development through a competitive process.
Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment SASCI: A scheme to provide financial assistance to states for capital investments, including tourism infrastructure.
Rameswaram: A town on Rameswaram Island, Tamil Nadu, an important Hindu pilgrimage site and a location for tourism development projects.
Mamallapuram: A town in Tamil Nadu known for its ancient monuments and temples, a site for multiple tourism projects.
Velankanni: A town in Tamil Nadu, known for the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, a significant Christian pilgrimage site and a location for tourism development.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.165
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN TAMIL NADU
165. SHRI SELVAM G:
SHRI C N ANNADURAI:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the details of key steps taken by the Government to promote
tourism in the State of Tamil Nadu including infrastructure
development;
(b) the number and details of projects or schemes currently under
implementation for tourism development in Tamil Nadu, district
and scheme-wise;
(c) whether any new tourist spots have been identified for
development in Tamil Nadu during the last three years and the
current year and if so, the details of such locations;
(d) whether the Government has received any proposals from various
States including Tamil Nadu for the development of unexplored or
new tourism circuits/destinations and if so, the details thereof
along with the action taken thereon; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to increase financial allocation
for tourism infrastructure, destination promotion, digital marketing
and international outreach and if so, the details of the proposed
increase and the sectors that will be prioritized?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): Tourism development in the country, including in the State of
Tamil Nadu, is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State
Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism
extends financial support through various Schemes — such as SwadeshDarshan, PRASHAD, and Challenge Based Destination Development
(CBDD) — with the objective of supplementing the efforts of the
States/UTs, subject to adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of
Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), inter-se priority, and availability of
resources.
Additionally, under the Special Assistance to States for Capital
Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global
Scale, Government of India sanctioned 40 projects in 23 States in
Financial Year 2024–25. The scheme aims at comprehensive
development of iconic tourist centres, global branding and marketing,
and responsible tourism practices.
Multiple projects have been sanctioned in Tamil Nadu under the
aforesaid schemes for the development of spiritual sites, heritage
locations, thematic circuits, and tourism infrastructure at various
destinations including Rameswaram Island, Thanjavur, Devala (The
Nilgiris), Mamallapuram, and Velankanni.
The details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan, SD2.0,
PRASHAD, CBDD and SASCI scheme in the state of Tamil Nadu is
Annexed.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.165 ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025 REGARDING PROMOTION
OF TOURISM IN TAMIL NADU RAISED BY SHRI SELVAM G AND SHRI C N
ANNADURAI.
(i) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the
State of Tamil Nadu is as under:
(Amount in ₹crore)
Sl. Circuit / Name of the Project Sanctioned
Cost
No. Sanction
Year
1. C oastal Development of (Chennai- 73.13
Circuit
Mamamallapuram– Rameshwaram– Manpadu
(2016-17)
– Kanyakumari)
(ii) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in
the State of Tamil Nadu is as under:
(Amount in ₹crore)
Sl. Year of Destination Name of the Sanctioned
Sanction Experience Cost
No.
1. 2023-24 Mamallapuram Immersive 30.02
experience at Shore
Temple
(iii) Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination
Development (CBDD) Scheme in the State of Tamil Nadu is as under:
(Amount in ₹crore)
Sl. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned
Sanction Cost
No.
1. 2024-25 Iconic Transformation of Rameswaram 20.01(iv) Details of Projects sanctioned under Special Assistance to States
for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme in the State of Tamil Nadu is as
under:
(Amount in ₹crore)
Sl. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned
Sanction Cost
No.
1. 2024-25 Development of Nandavanam 99.67
Heritage Park in Mammallapuram
2. 2024-25 Garden of Flowers in Devala 70.23
(v) Details of Project sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in the State of
Tamil Nadu is as under:
(Amount in ₹crore)
Sl. Name of Project Sanction Sanctioned
Year Cost
No.
1. Development of Kanchipuram 2016-17 13.99
2. Development of Velankanni 2016-17 4.86
3. Development of 8 Navagraha Temples 2024-25 40.94
(vi) Details of Projects sanctioned under the Scheme Assistance to
Central Agencies in the State of Tamil Nadu is as under:
(Amount in ₹Lakh)
Sl. Name of Project Agency Sanction Sanctioned
Date Cost
No.
1. Cruise Passenger Chennai 24.09.2012 1724.66
Facilities Centre in the Port
existing Passenger Trust
Terminal at Chennai Port
2. Illumination and allied ITDC 31.03.2025 1147.52
works at Gangai Konda
Cholapuram Temple,
District –Ariyalur
********