**Executive Summary**
This document provides an answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.†1151, concerning the promotion of tourism in Union Territories, answered on 08.12.2025. It outlines the Ministry of Tourism's efforts to develop tourist destinations and infrastructure through its central sector schemes, and it extends financial assistance to UT Administrations, contingent on project proposals. The document includes details of specific projects sanctioned in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **General Tourism Promotion:**
* The development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including new tourism circuits and eco-tourism, are undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration.
* The Ministry of Tourism extends financial assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations for tourism infrastructure development through schemes such as Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD.
* Central financial assistance is extended according to guidelines and based on proposals/detailed project reports.
* **Projects in Andaman & Nicobar Islands:**
* Under the Swadesh Darshan 1.0 scheme, a project for the "Development of Long Island-Ross Smith Island- Neil Island- Havelock Island- Baratang Island-Port Blair" has been sanctioned.
* The total sanction cost for this project is ₹27.57 Crore.
* **Projects in Lakshadweep:**
* Under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, a project for the "Development Of Eco-Retreat, Adventure, Beach and Mice Experience at Bangaram" has been sanctioned.
* The total sanction cost for this project is ₹81.18 Crore.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments/UT Administrations**
* **Impact:** They are responsible for implementing tourism development and promotion initiatives within their jurisdictions. They receive financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism for infrastructure development.
* **Action Required:** To submit proposals/detailed project reports to the Ministry of Tourism, following established guidelines, to secure financial assistance for tourism projects.
**Ministry of Tourism**
* **Impact:** The Ministry is responsible for providing central financial assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations for tourism infrastructure development.
* **Action Required:** To extend central financial assistance based on the received proposals/detailed project reports and in line with the established guidelines.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The central ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in the country.
Swadesh Darshan: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism focused on the development of theme-based tourism circuits in India.
Union Territories: Geographic areas under direct control of the central government, where tourism promotion is the subject of the parliamentary question.
PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive): A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism focused on infrastructure development at pilgrimage destinations.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the unstarred question regarding the promotion of tourism in Union Territories was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1151
ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN UNION TERRITORIES
†1151. SHRI SATISH KUMAR GAUTAM:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken any concrete steps to
promote new tourism circuits in the Union Territories;
(b) whether the Government has made any efforts to promote eco-
tourism in Union Territories Located in islands; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and
products, including new tourism circuits and eco-tourism is
undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT)
Administration.
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 details of projects sanctioned in Union Territories
located in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep are given at
Annexure.
******ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1151 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
REGARDING PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN UNION TERRITORIES
RAISED BY SHRI SATISH KUMAR GAUTAM
The details of projects sanctioned in the UT of Andaman & Nicobar
Islands:
S. Name of Project Sanction Cost
No. (₹ Crore)
A Swadesh Darshan 1.0
i. Development of Long Island-Ross Smith 27.57
Island- Neil Island- Havelock Island- Baratang
Island-Port Blair
Total Sanction Cost 27.57
The details of projects sanctioned in the UT of Lakshadweep:
S. Name of Project Sanction Cost
No. (₹ Crore)
Swadesh Darshan 2.0
i. Development Of Eco-Retreat, Adventure, 81.18
Beach and Mice Experience at Bangaram
(March 25)
Total Sanction Cost 81.18
********