**Executive Summary**
This document details the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1399, answered on February 9, 2026, regarding the development of the Ramayana and Buddhist Circuits in Uttar Pradesh under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS). It outlines the funds sanctioned and utilised for various projects related to tourism infrastructure in these circuits, with project details outlined in the annexure. The document indicates a focus on enhancing tourism through state government initiatives and national schemes.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government's Role:** Development and promotion of tourism destinations is primarily the responsibility of State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.
* **Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS):**
* Launched in 2014-15 by the Ministry of Tourism to support tourism infrastructure development.
* 76 projects sanctioned for Rs. 5290.33 Crore under thematic circuits, including Ramayana and Buddhist Circuits.
* Projects sanctioned under SDS in Ramayana and Buddhist Circuits in Uttar Pradesh are physically complete.
* **Specific Projects and Funding (Annexure):**
* Details provided for eight specific projects in Uttar Pradesh sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme across Buddhist, Ramayana, and Spiritual circuits.
* Projects were sanctioned between 2016-17 and 2018-19.
* Each project lists the sanctioned amount, amount released/authorized, and amount utilised in Crore Rupees.
* Lists the locations and purposes of each project.
* **Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI):**
* ‘Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development in Shrawasti’ has been sanctioned in 2024-25 for Rs.80.24 Crore.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Tourism**
* **Impact:** Responsible for providing financial support and guidance for tourism development projects in Uttar Pradesh through the Swadesh Darshan Scheme and other initiatives.
* **Action Required:** Oversee the effective implementation of sanctioned projects and monitor the utilisation of funds to achieve desired tourism outcomes.
**Stakeholder: State Government of Uttar Pradesh**
* **Impact:** Primary implementer of tourism development projects, responsible for planning and execution of projects within the state.
* **Action Required:** Effectively implement tourism development projects, utilising funds efficiently and ensuring the quality and timely completion of the projects.
**Stakeholder: Tourism Sector/Local Businesses**
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries of improved tourism infrastructure and increased visitor numbers, which can lead to economic growth and job creation.
* **Action Required:** Prepare for increased tourist flow by enhancing services and infrastructure, and leverage the new opportunities created by the enhanced tourism circuits.
**Stakeholder: Tourists/Visitors**
* **Impact:** Benefit from improved infrastructure, connectivity, and visitor facilities at key sites within the Ramayana and Buddhist Circuits, enhancing their overall tourism experience.
* **Action Required:** Plan their visits based on the improved facilities and information made available, contributing to the sustainability of the tourism initiatives.
Key Entities Referenced
Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS): A scheme launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2014-15 to develop tourism infrastructure in the country by identifying thematic circuits.
Ministry of Tourism: The central government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in India, including administering the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
Uttar Pradesh: The state in India where the Ramayana and Buddhist circuits are being developed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
Ramayana Circuit: A thematic tourism circuit focused on sites related to the epic Ramayana.
Buddhist Circuit: A thematic tourism circuit focused on sites related to the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1399
ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026
RAMAYANA AND BUDDHIST CIRCUITS IN UTTAR PRADESH
1399. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the present status of development of the Ramayana Circuit and
Buddhist Circuit in Uttar Pradesh under the Swadesh Darshan
Scheme, including the key sites covered in the State;
(b) whether the Government has any comprehensive plan to develop
Siddharthnagar, as an important destination under the Buddhist
Circuit; and
(c) the details of the funds allocated and utilised for improving tourism
infrastructure, connectivity and visitor facilities under the
Ramayana and Buddhist Circuits in Uttar Pradesh during the last
three years and the current year?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c): Development and promotion of tourism destinations and
products including destination planning is primarily undertaken by the
concerned State Government (SG)/Union Territory Administration (UTA). In
order to complement the efforts of tourism infrastructure development in
the country, Ministry of Tourism launched its Swadesh Darshan scheme
(SDS) in 2014-15 and sanctioned 76 projects for Rs.5290.33 Crore under
identified thematic circuits including Ramayana Circuit and Buddhist
Circuit. The projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme in
Ramayana and Buddhist Circuits in the State of Uttar Pradesh are
physically complete. The details of projects sanctioned in the State of
Uttar Pradesh under various thematic circuits including Ramayana and
Buddhist Circuits in Swadesh Darshan Scheme is annexed.Government of India under its ‘Special Assistance to States for
Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to
Global Scale’ scheme, has also sanctioned projects in the country with the
primary objective to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the
country, branding and marketing them at global scale. Under this scheme,
the project ‘Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development in Shrawasti’ has
been sanctioned in 2024-25 for Rs.80.24 Crore.
*****ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.1399 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026 REGARDING RAMAYANA AND
BUDDHIST CIRCUITS IN UTTAR PRADESH RAISED BY SHRI JAGDAMBIKA
PAL
Details of projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the State
of Uttar Pradesh
Sl. State/UT Circuit / Name of the Amount Amount Amount
No Sanction Project Sanctioned Released Utilised
. Year (₹ Cr.) /Authorised (₹ Cr.)
(₹ Cr.)
1. Uttar Buddhist Development of 87.89 72.56 68.43
Pradesh Circuit Srawasti,
2016-17 Kushinagar,
&Kapilwastu
2. Uttar Ramayan Development of 69.45 64.09 56.03
Pradesh a Circuit Chitrakoot and
2016-17 Shringverpur
3. Uttar Spiritual Development of 71.91 69.63 69.63
Pradesh Circuit Ahar-Aligarh-
2016-17 Kasganj-Sarosi
(Unnao)-
Pratapgarh-
Kausambi-
Mirzapur-
Gorakhpur-
Domariyaganj-
Basti-Barabanki-
Azamgarh-
Kairana-
Baghpat-
Shahjahanpur
4. Uttar Spiritual Development of 67.51 64.14 63.62
Pradesh Circuit Bijnor- Meerut-
2016-17 Kanpur- Kanpur
Dehat- Banda-
Ghazipur-
Salempur- Ghosi-Balia- Ambedkar
Nagar- Aligarh-
Fatehpur-
Deoria- Mahoba-
Sonbhadra-
Chandauli-
Mishrikh-
Bhadohi
5. Uttar Heritage Development of 36.65 36.65 36.65
Pradesh Circuit Kalinjar Fort
2016-17 (Banda)-
MagharDham(Sa
ntKabir Nagar)-
ChauriChaura,
Shaheed Sthal
(Fatehpur)-
MahuarshaheedS
thal (Ghosi)-
Shaheed Smarak
(Meerut)
6. Uttar Ramayan Development of 127.21 115.46 113.22
Pradesh a Circuit Ayodhya
2017-18
7. Uttar Spiritual Development of 12.03 11.43 11.43
Pradesh Circuit Jewar-Dadri-
2018-19 Sikandrabad-
Noida-Khurja-
Banda
8. Uttar Spiritual Development of 18.30 18.12 18.12
Pradesh Circuit Gorakhnath
2018-19 Temple
(Gorakhpur),
Devipattan
Temple
(Balrampur) and
Vatvashni
Temple
(Domariyagunj)
******