Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tourism's "Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment" (SASCI) aims to develop iconic tourist centers in India and promote them globally. Projects are selected based on proposals from State Governments and assessed on parameters like connectivity, sustainability, and marketing plans. The scheme guidelines detail project implementation, managed by State Governments, with project completion within two years and funding released by the Government of India until March 31, 2026.
Key Points / Main Content:
Project Selection and Criteria:
* Projects are identified via proposals submitted by State Governments.
* Evaluation considers connectivity, tourism ecosystem, carrying capacity, sustainability, project impact, and marketing plans.
* Selection adheres to the institutional framework detailed in the scheme guidelines.
Project Implementation and Management:
* State Governments implement and manage the approved projects.
* Project development and completion timeframe: maximum of 2 years.
* Government of India will release funds until March 31, 2026.
Promotion and Marketing:
* The Ministry of Tourism promotes tourism destinations and products domestically and internationally.
* Promotional activities include social media, websites, and events.
Sanctioned Projects:
* A total of 40 projects have been sanctioned under the SASCI scheme.
* The total sanctioned cost for all projects is 3295.76 Crore.
* Projects span across multiple states, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, and others.
* The projects cover a range of tourism-related developments, such as eco-tourism, cultural centers, and infrastructure improvements.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments:
* Impact: Responsible for project implementation, management, and completion within the stipulated timeframe.
* Action Required: Develop and execute projects according to scheme guidelines, manage funds effectively, and ensure timely completion.
Ministry of Tourism:
* Impact: Provides funding and promotes the developed tourist centers.
* Action Required: Release funds as per the scheme guidelines, promote destinations through various channels, and monitor project progress.
Tourism Industry Stakeholders:
* Impact: Potential beneficiaries of improved infrastructure and increased tourist footfall.
* Action Required: Prepare for increased business opportunities, align services with the developed destinations, and support sustainable tourism practices.
Tourists:
* Impact: Access to enhanced tourist destinations and improved tourism experiences.
* Action Required: Explore and appreciate the developed destinations responsibly.
Key Entities Referenced
Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment: A government scheme (referred to as SASCI) aimed at providing financial assistance to states for capital investments, particularly in tourism infrastructure.
SASCI: An abbreviation for "Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment".
Ministry of Tourism: The government ministry responsible for tourism-related policies and initiatives.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism.
LOK SABHA: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India that has projects sanctioned under the SASCI scheme.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India that has projects sanctioned under the SASCI scheme.
Arunachal Pradesh: A state in India that has projects sanctioned under the SASCI scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.37
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
SASCI SCHEME
37. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the manner in which the Government prioritizes the selection of
projects under the "Scheme for Special Assistance to States for
Capital Investment" (SASCI) scheme along with the details of
specific criteria adopted for this process;
(b) the details of the strategies being implemented by the Government
to ensure the successful development and completion of the 40
approved projects focused on lesser-known destinations;
(c) whether the Government has any initiatives to promote the said
destinations on international platforms and the manner in which
such initiatives are being executed; and
(d) if so, the details thereof, including collaborations, timelines and
expected outcomes?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d): The Ministry of Tourism issued operational guidelines for
‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment – Development of
Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’(SASCI) with the objective to
comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding
and marketing them at global scale.
Salient features of this endeavour include developing end to end tourist
experience, funding support to the shortlisted proposals, strengthening
all points of the tourist value chain, harnessing quality expertise for
design and development, sustainable operations and maintenance etc.
The projects have been identified based on the project proposals
submitted by the concerned State Governments, its examination on theprescribed parameters such as connectivity to the site, tourism eco-
system, carrying capacity, sustainability measures, sustainable
operation and management, project impact and value created, tourism
marketing plans etc. and as per the institutional framework detailed in
the scheme guidelines.
As per the scheme guidelines, the projects are implemented and
managed by the concerned State Government and projects are to be
developed and completed within maximum 2 year’s period whereas
Government of India will release funds under this scheme up to 31st
March, 2026. The details of the projects sanctioned under "Special
Assistance to States for Capital Investment" (SASCI) scheme is
annexed.
The Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing promotional activities
regularly promotes various tourism destinations and products of the
country including such endeavours in the international and domestic
markets through social media, promotional websites, events etc.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.37 ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025 REGARDING SASCI
SCHEME RAISED BY SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH
List of Projects sanctioned under the Special Assistance to States for
Capital Investment (SASCI Scheme) - Development of Iconic Tourist
Centres to Global Scale
S. State Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned
No. Sanction Cost (₹ Crore)
1. Andhra 2024-25 Enriching the fort and Gorge 77.91
Pradesh Experience in Gandikota
2. Andhra 2024-25 Akhanda Godavari- (Havelok 94.44
Pradesh Bridge & Pushkar Ghat) in
Raja Mahendravaram,
3. Arunachal 2024-25 Siang Adventure & Eco- 46.48
Pradesh Retreat in Pasighat
4. Assam 2024-25 Assam State Zoo Cum 97.12
Botanical Garden in
Guwahati
5. Assam 2024-25 Beautification of Rang Ghar 94.76
in Sivasagar
6. Bihar 2024-25 Development of 97.61
Matsyagandha Lake in
Saharsa
7. Bihar 2024-25 Karamchat Eco-Tourism and 49.51
Adventure Hub in Karamchat
8. Chhattisgarh 2024-25 Development of Chitrotpala 95.79
Film City in Raipur
9. Chhattisgarh 2024-25 Development of Tribal & 51.87
Cultural Convention Centre
in Raipur
10. G oa 2024-25 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 97.46
Museum in Ponda
11. G oa 2024-25 Townsquare in Porvorim 90.74
12. G ujarat 2024-25 Ecotourism Destination at 99.50
Kerly (Mokarsagar) in
Porbandar13. G ujarat 2024-25 Tented City and Convention 51.56
Centre in Dhordo
14. J harkhand 2024-25 Eco-Tourism Development of 34.87
Tilaiyya” in Koderma
15. K arnataka 2024-25 Ecotourism & Cultural Hub 99.17
at Roerich and Devika Rani
Estate Tataguni in Bengaluru
16. K arnataka 2024-25 Development of Savadatti 100.00
Yallammagudda in Belgavi
17. K erala 2024-25 Ashtamudi Biodiversity and 59.71
Eco-recreational Hub in
Kollam
18. K erala 2024-25 Global Gateway to Malabar's 95.34
Cultural Crucible in
Sargaalayaa
19. M adhya 2024-25 Orchha A Medieval 99.92
Pradesh Splendour in Orchha
20. M adhya 2024-25 International Convention 99.38
Pradesh Centre for MICE in Bhopal
21. M aharashtra 2024-25 INS-Guldar Underwater 46.91
Museum, Artificial Reef, and
submarine Tourism in
Sindhudurg
22. M aharashtra 2024-25 Development of RAM-KAL 99.14
PATH in Nashik
23. M anipur 2024-25 Loktak Lake Experience in 89.48
Loktak
24. M eghalaya 2024-25 MICE Infrastructure in 99.27
Mawkhanu
25. M eghalaya 2024-25 Redevelopment of Umiam 99.27
Lake in Shillong
26. O disha 2024-25 Development of Hirakund 99.90
27. O disha 2024-25 Development of Satkosia 99.99
28. P unjab 2024-25 Development of Heritage 53.45
Street as a tribute to
Shaheed-e-Azam, Sardar
Bhaghat Singh at Khatkar
Kalan in SBS Nagar
29. R ajasthan 2024-25 Development at Amber- 49.31
Nahargarh and SurroundingArea in Jaipur
30. R ajasthan 2024-25 Development at Jalmahal in 96.61
Jaipur
31. S ikkim 2024-25 Skywalk, Bhaleydhunga, 97.37
Yangang in Namchi
32. S ikkim 2024-25 Border Experience in 68.19
Nathula
33. T amil Nadu 2024-25 Development of 99.67
Nandavanam Heritage Park
in Mammallapuram
34. T amil Nadu 2024-25 Garden of Flowers in Devala 70.23
35. T elangana 2024-25 Ramappa Region 73.74
Sustainable Tourism Circuit
in Ramappa
36. T elangana 2024-25 Somasilla Wellness & 68.10
Spiritual Retreat in
Nallamala
37. T ripura 2024-25 Shakti Peethas Park at 97.70
Banduar in Gomati
38. U ttar 2024-25 Development of Bateshwar 74.05
Pradesh in District-Agra
39. U ttar 2024-25 Integrated Buddhist Tourism 80.24
Pradesh Development in Shrawasti
40. U ttarakhand 2024-25 Iconic City Rishikesh: 100.00
Rafting Base Station in
Rishikesh
TOTAL 3295.76
*****