Parliament Question: Redevelopment of Temple Corridors and Pilgrimage Sites

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*230 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REDEVELOPMENT OF TEMPLE CORRIDORS AND PILGRIMAGE SITES *230. SMT. ANITA SUBHADARSHINI: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the details of the major temple corridor and pilgrimage sites redevelopment projects undertaken or completed during the last two years and the current year in the country, State/UT-wise; (b) the details of the funds sanctioned, released and utilized for these projects during the said period along with its current status; (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to balance heritage conservation with proper pilgrim amenities, crowd management and environmental sustainability; (d) the extent to which the said redevelopment initiatives have increased local employment and regional connectivity; and (e) the details of the new temple corridor from the State of Odisha to be taken up for development during the year 2026? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. ******STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*230 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING REDEVELOPMENT OF TEMPLE CORRIDORS AND PILGRIMAGE SITES RAISED BY SMT. ANITA SUBHADARSHINI (a) to (b): The Ministry of Tourism, through its ongoing Central Sector Schemes of ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’, a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development supplements the efforts of the State Government(SG)/ Union Territory (UT) Administration/ Central Agencies by providing financial assistance for the development of tourism related infrastructure in the country including major pilgrimage sites and temple corridors. The State/UT-wise list of projects sanctioned under the above- mentioned schemes during the last two years and the current year along with funds sanctioned, released, utilized and their present status are given in the Annexure-I. (c): Under the above mentioned schemes various interventions have been sanctioned such as queue management complex, waiting halls, cloak room, widening of approach roads, CCTVs for pilgrim safety, foot-over bridges, parking, tourist information centre, basic amenities such as toilets, dustbins, drinking water facilities and other site development works for improving and upgrading overall pilgrim/tourist experience.To ensure balance between heritage conservation with proper pilgrim amenities, crowd management and environmental sustainability, the projects under the above mentioned schemes are prepared in consultations with the respective State Governments, UT Administrations, local bodies, and other stake holders. In addition, factors such as carrying capacity, footfall, cultural, historical & heritage importance of the places, resident population are taken into consideration so as to ensure sustainable and responsible tourism. (d): The above mentioned Schemes of the Ministry of Tourism aims to rejuvenate pilgrimage and spiritual experience of the tourists through availability of well-planned tourism infrastructure enabling tourist convenience, accessibility, cleanliness, last-mile connectivity among others. The development of tourism infrastructure is ensured in a holistic manner with the objective of boosting tourism, generating employment and strengthening the local economy. (e): No proposal relating to a new temple corridor in the State of Odisha is under consideration of the Ministry of Tourism. However, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned various tourism development projects in Odisha amounting to Rs.326.86 Crore, details of which are given in the Annexure-II. Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations for financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process. The proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribed guidelines and financial assistance is extended for such projects subject to fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds. *****ANNEXURE -I STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*230 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING REDEVELOPMENT OF TEMPLE CORRIDORS AND PILGRIMAGE SITES BY SMT. ANITA SUBHADARSHINI i. List of Projects sanctioned in last two years and current year under PRASHAD Scheme: S. State/UT Name of the Sanction Sanctioned Amount Amount Physical Current No. Project Year Cost Authorized Utilized Progress Status (₹ in Crore) (₹ in Crore) (₹ in Crore) (%) as per UC received 1. Karnataka Development of 2023-24 45.38 13.33 0 3.63% Ongoing Pilgrimage Amenities at Sri Chamundeshw ari Devi Temple, Mysuru 2. Andhra Development of 2024-25 25.33 6.74 0 30.06% Ongoing Pradesh Pilgrimage Tourism Infrastructure in Annavaram Temple Town3. Bihar Development of 2024-25 13.29 0.00 0 0% Ongoing Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran 4. Goa Development of 2024-25 16.46 4.68 0 24.78% Ongoing Bom Jesus Basilica 5. Karnataka Development of 2024-25 18.37 0.00 0 0% Ongoing RenukaYallama Devi temple 6. Karnataka Development of 2024-25 22.25 6.30 0 0% Ongoing Basic Amenities at Papnash Temple, Bidar dist. 7. Mizoram Development of 2024-25 5.47 1.56 0 24.53% Ongoing Basic Amenities under PRASHAD scheme in Vangchhia, Champhai District 8. Puducherry Development of 2024-25 25.94 0.00 0 0% Ongoing Pilgrim Facilites& Touristattractions for Sri Dharbaranyes wara Temple 9. Tamil Nadu Development of 2024-25 40.94 0.00 0 3.19% Ongoing 8 Navagraha Temples 10. Telangana Development of 2024-25 4.22 0.00 0 27.50% Ongoin Basic g Amenities at goddess RenukaYellam aDevasthanam Total 217.65 32.61 0 ii. List of Projects completed in last two years and current year under PRASHAD Scheme S. State/UT Name of the Sancti Completion Sanction Amount Amount Physical Current No Project on Year ed Cost Authorized Utilized Progress Status Year (₹ in (₹ in Crore) (₹ Crore) (%) Crore) as per UC received 1 Bihar Development 2015- 2023-24 29.62 29.62 29.62 100% Completed at Patna 16 Sahib 2 Meghalaya Development 2020- 2023-24 29.29 27.78 27.78 100% Completed of Pilgrimage 21Facilitation in Meghalaya 3 Nagaland Development 2018- 2023-24 25.2 23.56 23.56 100% Completed of Pilgrimage 19 Infrastructure in Nagaland 4 Jammu & Development 2016- 2024-25 40.46 34.30 34.30 100% Completed Kashmir at Hazratbal 17 Shrine, Srinagar 5 Chhattisgar Development 2020- 2024-25 48.44 40.19 31.94 100% Completed h of 21 MaaBamlesh wari Devi Temple, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon District, Chhattisgarh 6 Rajasthan Integrated 2015- 2024-25 32.64 26.11 26.11 100% Completed Development 16 of Pushkar/ Ajmer 7 Uttar Development 2018- 2024-25 37.59 34.64 30.97 100% Completed Pradesh of 19 Infrastructure facilities at Govardhan8 Uttarakhan Augmentation 2021- 2024-25 54.36 10.22 10.22 Foreclosed Foreclosed d of Pilgrimage 22 Infrastructure Facilities and Gangotri and YamunotriDh am 9 West Development 2016- 2024-25 30.03 23.39 23.39 100% Completed Bengal of Belur Math 17 10 Madhya Development 2020- 2025-26 49.99 42.55 34.63 100% Completed Pradesh of 21 Amarkantak 11 Maharasht Development 2017- 2025-26 45.41 38.44 38.44 100% Completed ra of 18 Trimbakeshw ar, Nashik 12 Nagaland Development 2022- 2025-26 18.18 15.45 15.45 100% Completed of Pilgrimage 23 Tourism Infrastructure at Zunheboto 13 Sikkim Development 2020- 2025-26 33.32 28.31 28.31 100% Completed of Pilgrimage 21 Facilitation at Four Patron Saints, Yuksom 14 Telangana Development 2020- 2025-26 38.9 33.07 33.07 100% Completed of Jogulamba 21Devi Temple, Alampur Total 513.43 407.63 387.79 iii. List of Projects completed in last two years and current year under Swadesh Darshan 1.0 Scheme S. State/ Name of the Sancti Completi Sanction Amount Amont Physical Current N UT Project on on Year ed Cost Authoriz Utilized Progress Status o. Year (₹ Cr.) ed (₹ Cr.) (%) (₹ Cr.) as per UC receive d 1 Andhra Development of 2017- 2023-24 35.24 30.02 30.02 100% Completed Pradesh Buddhist 18 Circuit: Shalihundam- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda - Amravati- Anupu (Buddhist Circuit) 2 Kerala Development of 2016- 2023-24 46.54 33.39 33.39 100% Completed Sabarimala - 17Erumeli-Pampa- Sannidhanam (Spiritual Circuit) 3 Maharash Development of 2018- 2023-24 45.47 43.19 38.84 100% Completed tra Waki- Adasa- 19 Dhapewada- Paradsingha- Telankhandi- Girad (Spiritual Circuit) 4 Punjab Development of 2018- 2023-24 85.32 81.05 81.05 100% Completed Anandpur Sahib 19 - Fatehgarh Sahib - ChamkaurSahib - Ferozpur - Khatkar Kalan – Kalanour – Patiala (Heritage Circuit) 5 Rajasthan Development of 2016- 2023-24 75.80 73.85 73.85 100% Completed Govind Dev ji 17 temple (Jaipur), Khatu Shyam Ji (Sikar) andNathdwara (Rajsamand) (Krishna Circuit) 6 Telangana Development of 2017- 2023-24 96.90 70.61 70.61 100% Completed QutubShahiHerit 18 age Park- Paigah Tombs- Hayat Bakshi Mosque- Raymond's Tomb (Heritage Circuit) 7 Uttar Development of 2018- 2023-24 18.30 18.12 18.12 100% Completed Pradesh Gorakhnath 19 Temple (Gorakhpur), Devipattan Temple (Balrampur) and Vatvashni Temple (Domariyagunj) (Spiritual Circuit) Total 403.57 350.23 345.88iv. List of Projects sanctioned in last two years and current year under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme S. State/ Destination Name of the Sancti Sanctio Amount Amont Physical Current No Experience on ned Authoris Utilized Progress Status UT . Year Cost ed (₹ Cr.) as (%) (₹ per UC (₹ Crore) Crore) received 1 Madhya Chitrakoot Spiritual 2023- 27.22 2.72 0 2.65% Ongoing Pradesh experience at 24 Chitrakoot 2 Rajasthan Bundi Spiritual 2023- 21.65 2.17 0 5.23% Ongoing Experience, 24 Keshavraipatan 3 Chhattisg Kawardha BhoramdeoCorr 2024- 145.99 14.60 0 0% Ongoing arh idor 25 Development, Kawardha 4 Rajasthan Sikar Development 2024- 87.87 8.79 0 9.65% Ongoing works at Shri 25 Khatu Shyam Ji Temple (Sikar) 5 Himachal Chintpurni Development of 2025- 56.26 5.63 0 0% Ongoing Pradesh MaaChintpurni 26 Devi Temple, Una6 Madhya Datia Development of 2025- 44.24 4.42 0 3.59% Ongoing Pradesh PitambaraPeeth 26 Datia 7 Rajasthan Bikaner Development 2025- 22.58 2.26 0 31.19% Ongoing dist. Works at Shri 26 Karnimatamand ir, Bikaner 8 Rajasthan MalaseriDun Development of 2025- 48.73 4.87 0 3.66% Ongoing gari (District MalaseriDungri, 26 Bhilwara) Bhilwara District Total 454.54 45.46 0 v. List of Projects sanctioned in last two years and current year under CBDD Scheme S. State/ Destination Name of the Sancti Sanctioned Amount Amont Physical Current No. UT Experience on Cost Authori Utilized Progress Status Year (₹ Crore) zed (₹ Cr.) as (%) (₹ per UC Crore) received 1 Andhra Ahobilam Ahobilam-A 2024- 24.99 2.50 0 28.58% Ongoing Pradesh Temple spiritual 25 Odyssey 2 Jharkhand RamrekhaD Tourism 2024- 18.87 1.87 0 0% Ongoing ham Infrastructure 25 Development at RamrekhaDham, Simdega 3 Kerala Varkala Varkala- 2024- 25.00 2.50 0 2.29% Ongoing Dakshin 25 Kashi 4 Punjab Anandpur Heritage 2024- 24.90 2.49 0 1.31% Ongoing Sahib, street -A 25 Rupnagar symbol of peace and Harmony at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar 5 Uttarakh Kainchidham Developmen 2024- 17.60 1.76 0 19.96% Ongoing and t of 25 Kainchidha m campus, Kainchidha m Total 111.36 11.12 0 vi. List of Projects sanctioned in last two years and current year under SASCI Scheme S. State Name of the Project Sanction Sanctioned Amount Amont Physical Current No. Year Cost Released Utilized Progress Status (₹ Crore) (₹ Crore) (₹ Crore) (%) as per As per MPRUC received 1 Karnataka Development of 2024-25 100.00 66.00 _ 0% Ongoing SavadattiYallammag udda in Belgavi 2 Uttar Development of 2024-25 74.05 48.87 _ 26.03% Ongoing Pradesh Bateshwar in District-Agra 3 Uttar Integrated Buddhist 2024-25 80.24 52.96 40.71 44.61% Ongoing Pradesh Tourism Development in Shrawasti Total 254.29 167.83 40.71 vii. List of Projects sanctioned in last two years and current year under ACA Scheme Sn State/ Implement Name of the Sanction Sanctioned Amount Amont Physical Current ing Experience Year Cost Authorised Utilized Progress Status UT Agency (₹ Crore) (₹ Cr.) as (%) (₹ Crore) per UC received 1. T amil ITDC Illumination 2024-25 11.47 0 0 0% Ongoing Nadu and allied works at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple,District - Ariyalur Total 11.47 0 0 ******ANNEXURE-II STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*230 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING REDEVELOPMENT OF TEMPLE CORRIDORS AND PILGRIMAGE SITES RAISED BY SMT. ANITA SUBHADARSHINI i. List of Project sanctioned in Odisha under PRASHAD Scheme Name of the Project Sanction Year Sanction Cost Status (Rs. In Crore) Infrastructure (2014-15) 50.00 Foreclosed Development at Puri ii. List of Project sanctioned in Odisha under Swadesh Darshan Scheme Name of the Project Sanction Year Sanction Cost Status (Rs. In Crore) Development of Gopalpur, (2016-17) 70.82 Complete Barkul, Satapada and Tampara iii. List of Projects sanctioned in Odisha under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Name of the Project Sanction Year Sanction Cost Status (Rs. In Crore) Development of Hirakud (2024-25) 99.90 Ongoing Development of Satkosia (2024-25) 99.99 Ongoing iv. List of Project sanctioned in Odisha under Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACA) Name of the Project Sanction Cost (Rs. In Crore) Status Puri Railway Station 6.15 Complete ******