Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tourism addressed a query in Lok Sabha regarding the promotion of tourist destinations in Telangana since 2020. While the primary responsibility lies with the State Government, the Ministry supplements these efforts through various central sector schemes, providing financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development. The Ministry also collaborates with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to improve air connectivity to tourist destinations. The State Government of Telangana is employing a tourism policy for 2025-2030 to promote tourist destinations outside of Hyderabad.
Key Points / Main Content:
Financial Assistance and Schemes:
* The Ministry of Tourism supports tourism infrastructure development through schemes like Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), and Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA).
* Financial assistance is extended to State Governments/UTs/Central Agencies, subject to fund availability, adherence to scheme guidelines, and submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
* The Government of India also provides financial assistance under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).
* The Ministry does not fund roads or waterways directly, but components for last-mile connectivity (jetty development, boats) can be considered.
Air Connectivity:
* The Ministry of Tourism is working with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to improve air connectivity.
* The Ministry coordinates with the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN) and shares Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for identified tourist routes, including Hyderabad-Telangana to Vidya Nagar-Karnataka.
State Government Initiatives:
* The Telangana government is implementing a comprehensive tourism policy for 2025-2030 to promote destinations beyond Hyderabad.
Promotional Activities:
* The Ministry of Tourism promotes various tourism destinations and products of the country, including Telangana, through social media, promotional websites, and events.
Sanctioned Projects in Telangana:
* Various projects have been sanctioned in Telangana under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD, ACA, and SASCI schemes including development of Eco Tourism Circuits, Heritage Parks, Pilgrimage infrastructure, Experiential zones, Digital Experience Centres and Multimedia laser shows.
Impact Analysis:
State Government of Telangana:
* Impact: Expected to take the primary role in developing and promoting tourist destinations, submit DPRs to avail central assistance, and implement its tourism policy.
* Action Required: Continue developing and promoting tourist destinations, submit DPRs for financial assistance, and implement the 2025-2030 tourism policy.
Ministry of Tourism:
* Impact: Responsible for providing financial assistance, coordinating with other ministries to improve connectivity, and promoting tourist destinations.
* Action Required: Provide financial assistance to eligible projects, coordinate with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and promote tourism destinations in Telangana.
Central Agencies:
* Impact: Eligible to receive financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development.
* Action Required: Adhere to scheme guidelines and submit Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to avail central assistance.
Domestic and International Tourists:
* Impact: Benefit from improved infrastructure and promotion of diverse tourist destinations in Telangana.
* Action Required: Explore the promoted destinations in Telangana.
Key Entities Referenced
Telangana: A state in India, the primary focus of the tourism promotion efforts described in the document.
Hyderabad, Telangana: The capital city of Telangana, India and a major tourist hub within the state.
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in India.
Swadesh Darshan: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India to develop theme-based tourism circuits in India.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism focusing on developing and improving pilgrimage and heritage tourism destinations.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the regulation of air transport services and for the development of civil aviation infrastructure.
Regional Connectivity Scheme RCS-Udan: A scheme to enhance air connectivity to remote and regional areas in India.
Ramappa Temple, Mulugu: Also known as Rudreshwara Temple, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Mulugu district, Telangana.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3474
ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
PROMOTION OF TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN TELANGANA
3474. SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) Whether the Government renovated any tourist destination in
Telangana since 2020 and if so, the details thereof along with the
funds utilised;
(b) whether the Government is aware that majority of Telangana
tourism is concentrated to Hyderabad;
(c) if so, the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government
to promote tourist destination of other districts in the State among
domestic and international tourists; and
(d) whether the Government undertook any infrastructure development
like road, waterway or airway to promote less known and remote
tourist destinations in the State and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and tourism
products including lesser known destinations is primarily undertaken by
the respective State Government/ Union Territory (UT) Administration.
However, the Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of
‘Swadesh Darshan(SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based
Destination Development (CBDD)’ – a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan,
‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive
(PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA) for Tourism
Infrastructure Development’ schemes complements the efforts of tourism
infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State
Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies, subject to availability
of funds, adherence to scheme guidelines and submission of Detailed
Project Reports (DPRs) by the State Government etc. In addition,Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special Assistance to States
for Capital Investment (SASCI) has also provided financial assistance to
the States for development of tourism projects. The projects under the
above mentioned schemes are sanctioned across the country including
lesser known destinations of Telangana. Under these schemes, the
Ministry does not sanction funds for building roads, waterways etc.
However, components to provide last mile connectivity, jetty development,
boats etc. are considered for sanctioning depending on the project
requirement.
The Ministry of Tourism is closely working with Ministry of Civil
Aviation for improving air connectivity to important tourist destinations
and to lesser known / new destinations with high potential. It has co-
ordinated with Ministry of Civil Aviation under their Regional Connectivity
Scheme (RCS-Udan) and shares the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) amount for
53 tourist routes identified for this purpose. Hyderabad (Telangana) – Vidya
Nagar (Karnataka) & Vidya Nagar (Karnataka) – Hyderabad (Telangana)
route has been included in the Tourism RCS Routes.
Further, the State Government of Telangana has informed that it is
taking a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach under its tourism policy
2025-2030 to promote tourist destinations in other districts beyond
Hyderabad among both domestic and international tourists.
The Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing promotional activities
regularly promotes various tourism destinations and products of the
country including Telangana through social media, promotional website,
events etc.
Details of sanctioned projects under the SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD,
ACA and SASCI schemes in the State of Telangana is annexed.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.3474 ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025 REGARDING PROMOTION
OF TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN TELANGANA RAISED BY SHRI ARVIND
DHARMAPURI
List of projects sanctioned in the State of Telangana under Ministry of
Tourism Schemes:-
S. Name of the Project Circuit/ Sanctioned
No. Sanction Amount
Year (₹ in crore)
Swadesh Darshan
1 Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in Eco Circuit 91.62
Mahaboobnagar district 2015-16
2 Development of Mulugu-Laknavaram- Tribal 79.87
Medavaram- Tadvai- Damaravi- Mallur- Circuit
Bogatha Waterfalls 2016-17
3 Development of Qutub Shahi Heritage Park- Heritage 96.90
Paigah Tombs- Hayat Bakshi Mosque- Circuit
Raymond's Tomb 2017-18
PRASHAD Scheme
1 Development of Jogulamba Devi Temple, 2020-21 38.90
Alampur
2 Development of Pilgrimage and Heritage 2022-23 62.00
Tourism Infrastructure at Rudreshwara
(Ramappa) Temple, Mulugu
3 Development of Pilgrimage Infrastructure at 2022-23 41.38
Bhadrachalam, Bhadradri Kothagudem
District
4 Development of Basic Amenities at goddess 2024-25 4.22
Renuka Yellama Devasthanam
Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0)
1 Bhongir Fort Experiential Zone 2023-24 56.81
2 Eco tourism zone at Ananathgiri forest 2023-24 38.00
CBDD
1 Digital Experience Centre at Bhuddhavanam 2024-25 24.85
in Nalgonda
2 Development of Eco-Tourism Project at Nizam 2024-25 9.98Sagar, Kmareddy
Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA)
1 Multimedia Laser Show with Water Screen 2021-22 50.00
and Musical Fountain at Sanjeevaiah Park,
Hyderabad, Telangana
2 Design, Supply, Installation, Testing & 2021-22 11.80
Commissioning of Digital Multimedia
Technology and Lightings at Osmania Arts
University, Hyderabad Telangana
Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment
(SASCI)
1 Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism
2024-25 73.74
Circuit in Ramappa
2 Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat in
2024-25 68.10
Nallamala
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