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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
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