Parliament Question: Special Buddhist Tourism Package

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1332 ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 SPECIAL BUDDHIST TOURISM PACKAGE †1332. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) whether a separate special development fund is being provisioned by the Government for the development of eight major cities in Bihar under a special Buddhist Tourism Package;

(b) if so, the name of all the said eight cities;

(c) whether the Special development fund is being administered by the State Government and the details of the financial contribution provisioned by the Central Government toward this fund; and

(d) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): Identification, development and promotion of tourist destinations and tourism products is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Governments (SG)/Union Territory Administrations (UTA). While no separate special development fund is being provisioned by Ministry of Tourism for the State of Bihar, the Ministry through its existing schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ – a sub-scheme of SD2.0, and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations including Bihar;

subject to adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by them, availability of funds, Government directions, inter- se priority etc.In addition, Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ scheme, has also provided financial assistance to the States including Bihar in the year 2024-25 for development of tourism projects.

The details of the projects sanctioned at various tourism destinations in the State of Bihar including those related to Buddhism under the above mentioned schemes of the Ministry is annexed. ******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1332 ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 REGARDING SPECIAL BUDDHIST TOURISM PACKAGE RAISED BY SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

(i) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the State

of Bihar: (Amount in ₹Crore) S.N. Circuit/ Name of the Project Sanctioned Sanction Amount Year

1. Tirthankar Developmentof Vaishali- Arrah- Masad- 33.96 2016-17 Patna-Rajgir-Pawapuri-Champapuri

2. Spiritual Development of Kanwaria Route: 44.76 2016-17 Sultanganj – Dharmshala-Deoghar

3. Buddhist Development of Buddhist circuit- 95.18 2016-17 Construction of Convention Centreat Bodhgaya

4. Rural Development of Bhitiharwa- 44.27 2017-18 Chandrahia-Turkaulia

5. Spiritual Development of Mandar Hill &Ang 44.55 2017-18 Pradesh

(ii) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in the

State of Bihar: (Amount in ₹Crore) S.N. Year of Destination Name of the Experience Sanctioned Sanction Amount

1. 2024-25 Bodh Gaya Development of the Buddhist 165.44 Meditation & Experience Centre, Bodh Gaya

(iii) Details of Project sanctioned under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme in the State of

Bihar: (Amount in ₹Crore) S.N. Project Name Sanction Sanction Year Amount1. Development at Patna Sahib 2015-16 29.62

2. Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad 2014-15 3.63 temple, Gaya, Bihar

3. Development of AmbikaBhawani Temple, Sar 2024-25 13.29 an

(iv) Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme in the State of Bihar: (Amount in ₹Crore) S.N. Year of Name of the Category Sanctioned Sanction Project Amount

1. 2024-25 Development of Saran Dist. (Sonepur Fair) 24.29 Sonepur Fair (Culture & Heritage) Site

(v) Details of Project sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme in the State of Bihar: (Amount in ₹Crore) S.N. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned Sanction Amount

1. 2024-25 Development of Matsyagandha Lake in 97.61 Saharsa

2. 2024-25 Karamchat Eco-Tourism and 49.51 Adventure Hub in Karamchat ******