Parliament Question: Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and Tourism Infrastructure Development

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2520 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 SWADESH DARSHAN 2.0 AND TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT 2520. SMT. BIJULI KALITA MEDHI: SMT. D K ARUNA: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the objectives and key features of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme along with projects sanctioned and completed; (b) the details of steps taken for development of tourism infrastructure, including airports, last-mile connectivity and sustainable tourism practices in the country particularly in Telangana; and (c) the impact of these initiatives on employment generation, local economy and overall growth of the tourism sector in the country particularly in Telangana? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (c): The Ministry of Tourism has revamped the Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in the country, following a destination and tourist centric approach. The scheme recognizes that sustainable and responsible tourism is the key and encourages adoption of principles of sustainable tourism including environmental, socio-cultural and economic sustainability. Key feature of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme includes development of tourism experiences and amenities in the country, robust operation and management of tourism assets created through the scheme, resulting inemployment generation and contribution to growth of tourism-related businesses etc. Details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 including in the State of Telangana is Annexed. All the projects sanctioned under SD2.0 are at various stages of implementation. Effective and adequate connectivity is one of the important aspects of development of a tourist destination. Ministry of Tourism works closely with Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Civil Aviation and other line Ministries to ensure improved connectivity including airports, last mile connectivity etc. to tourist destinations. Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with Ministry of Civil Aviation under their Regional Connectivity Scheme- Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (RCS-UDAN) has identified 53 tourism routes in the country including in the state of Talangana for better air connectivity. During the last seven years after commencement of the scheme, 637 RCS routes connecting 92 unserved and underserved airports (including 15 heliports & 02 water aerodromes) have been operationalised till date. Total domestic passengers travelled through RCS-UDAN are more than 154 lakhs connecting 3,17,000 RCS flights till date. The Viability Gap Funding (VGF) disbursed RACFT to selected Airline Operators (SAOs) is Rs. 4087 Crore. Inspired by the success, Union Cabinet has approved the Modified Regional Connectivity Scheme–UDAN for the period FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36 with a total outlay of ₹28,840 crore. The Scheme envisages development of 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips, operational support for regional aerodromes, development of 200 modern helipads in hilly, remote, island and aspirational regions, and continued Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for regional air routes. The Scheme is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, improve last-mile access to tourist destinations, particularly in underserved areas, and boost tourism, trade and economic development across the country. Swadesh Darshan Scheme further encourages State Governments/UT Administrations including State of Telangana to undertake due consultations with local communities and stakeholders, use of renewable energy, eco- friendly materials, adopt sustainable tourism practices, development ofaccessible infrastructure and services, focus on capacity building, local entrepreneurship etc. The scheme envisages to have a significant positive impact on multiple facets of tourism development in the country, including Tourism Growth, Boost to Local Economies, Infrastructure Creation, Employment Generation and Promotion of Tourism. Further, The Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism and the following strategic pillars have been identified for development of sustainable tourism: i. Promoting Environmental Sustainability ii. Protecting Biodiversity iii. Promoting Economic Sustainability iv. Promoting Socio-Cultural Sustainability v. Scheme for Certification of Sustainable Tourism vi. IEC and Capacity Building Governance The Ministry has also launched the Travel for LiFE initiative to promote sustainable tourism across the country and to encourage tourists as well as tourism businesses to adopt sustainable practices to preserve local culture, environment and heritage. ******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (C) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2520 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 REGARDING SWADESH DARSHAN 2.0 AND TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT BY SMT. BIJULI KALITA MEDHI AND SMT. D K ARUNA List of sanctioned projects under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 as on 30.06.2026 S. State/UT Destination Name of the Sanction Sanctioned Withdrawal No Experience Date Cost limit . (in ₹ assigned to Crore) Implementing Agency (in ₹Crore) 1 Andhra Bapatala Development of 29.03.20 97.52 48.76 Pradesh Suryalanka Beach 25 Experience 2 Andhra Araku- Borra Cave 05.03.20 29.88 14.94 Pradesh Lambasingi Experienceat 24 Araku 3 Arunachal Mechuka Mechuka Cultural 05.03.20 18.48 9.24 Pradesh Haat 24 4 Arunachal Mechuka Mechuka 05.03.20 12.75 6.38 Pradesh Adventure Park 24 5 Arunachal Nacho Unlock Nacho 05.03.20 14.02 7.01 Pradesh Expedition 24 6 Assam Kokrajhar Kokrajhar Wetland 05.03.20 26.68 13.34 Experience 24 7 Assam Jorhat Reimagining 05.03.20 23.88 11.94 CinnamaraTea 24 Estate 8 Bihar BodhGaya Development of the 29.03.20 165.44 16.54 Buddhist 25 Meditation & Experience Centre, Bodh Gaya 9 Chhattisgarh Kawardha Bhoramdeo 29.03.20 146.00 14.60 Corridor 25 Development, Kawardha 10 DNHDD Daman Daman Convention 29.03.20 147.13 -Centre 25 11 Goa Porvorim Porvorim Creek 20.08.20 24.07 12.04 Experience 24 12 Goa Colva ColvaBeach 20.08.20 19.89 9.95 Experience 24 13 Haryana Panchkula Development of 29.03.20 26.68 2.67 Adventure Tourism 25 Hubat Tikkar Taaland Adventure Park 14 Haryana Panchkula Rejuvenation of 29.03.20 65.82 6.58 Yadavindra Garden 25 15 Himachal Chintpurni Development of 04.07.20 56.26 5.63 Pradesh Maa Chintpurni 25 Devi Temple,Una 16 Karnataka Mysuru Ecological 05.03.20 18.48 1.85 Experience Zone 24 17 Karnataka Mysuru Tongaride Heritage 29.02.20 2.72 0.27 Experience zone 24 18 Karnataka Hampi Settingup of 29.02.20 25.64 2.56 ‘Traveller nooks’ 24 19 Kerala Alappuzha Alappuzha: A 29.03.20 93.18 46.59 Global Water 25 Wonderland 20 Kerala Malampuzha Enhancement of 29.03.20 75.87 37.94 Tourist 25 Experienceat Malampuzha Gardenand Leisure Park 21 Kerala Kumarakom Kumarakom Bird 05.03.20 13.81 6.91 Sanctuary 24 Experience 22 Ladakh Leh Julley Leh 05.03.20 23.17 2.32 Biodiversity Park 24 23 Ladakh Kargil Exploring LOC & 05.03.20 11.91 5.96 Hundarman village 24 Exp 24 Lakshadweep Bangaram Development of 29.03.20 81.18 8.12 Eco-Retreat, 25 Adventure, Beach and MiceExperience at Bangaram 25 Madhya Chitrakoot Spiritual 05.03.20 27.22 13.61 Pradesh experience at 24 Chitrakoot 26 Madhya Gwalior Phoolbagh 29.02.20 16.74 8.37 Pradesh Experience Zone 24 27 Madhya Datia Development of 14.07.20 44.24 22.12 Pradesh Pitambara Peeth 25 Datia 28 Maharashtra Pune Shivshrusthi 21.09.20 75.47 37.74 Theme Park 24 29 Meghalaya Sohra Waterfall Trails 05.03.20 27.61 13.81 Experience 24 30 Meghalaya Sohra Meghalayan Age 04.03.20 32.45 16.23 Cave Experience 24 31 Mizoram Champhai EcoResort 29.03.20 38.85 19.43 Experienceat 25 Keilungliah,Zote, Ngur&Mualbuhvum, Champhai 32 Mizoram Champhai Heritage and 29.03.20 33.87 16.94 Cultural Centre, 25 Champhai 33 Mizoram Aizawl Construction of 10.11.20 99.71 49.86 Conference Centre 25 34 Nagaland Chumoukedima Adventure Tourism 29.03.20 32.54 16.27 Experience at 25 Jacob Village, Chumoukediema 35 Nagaland Chumoukedima Eco-TourismExp at 20.08.20 7.87 3.94 Chumoukedima 24 viewpoint 36 Nagaland Chumoukedima Tribal Cultural 05.03.20 21.57 10.79 Experience at 24 MidwayRetreat 37 Puducherry Karaikal Karaikal beach and 05.03.20 20.3 - water front 24 experience 38 Punjab Amritsar Border Tourism 20.08.20 25.91 2.59Experience at 24 Attari 39 Punjab Kapurthala Eco Tourism 05.03.20 19.56 1.96 experience at 24 Kanjli wetland 40 Rajasthan Sikar Development 29.03.20 87.87 8.79 worksat Shri Khatu 25 ShyamJi Temple (Sikar) 41 Rajasthan Bundi Spiritual 29.02.20 21.65 2.17 Experience, 24 Keshavraipatan 42 Rajasthan Bikaner dist. Development 14.07.20 22.58 11.29 Works at Shri 25 Karnimata mandir, Bikaner 43 Rajasthan Malaseri Development of 14.07.20 48.73 24.37 Dungari Malaseri Dungri, 25 (District Bhilwara District Bhilwara) 44 Sikkim Gyalshing Eco-Wellness 05.03.20 15.41 7.71 Experience at 24 Yuksom Cluster 45 Sikkim Gangtok Gangtok Cultural 29.02.20 22.60 11.30 Village 24 46 Tamil Nadu Mamallapura Immersive 29.02.20 30.02 - m experience at 24 Shore Temple 47 Telangana Ananathagiri Eco tourism zone 05.03.20 38.01 19.01 at Ananathgiri 24 forest 48 Telangana Bhongir Bhongir Fort 29.02.20 56.82 5.68 Experiential Zone 24 49 Tripura Agartala Tripura Heritage 29.03.20 48.95 24.48 Village & Sangeet 25 Experience at Agartala (Phase-1 &2) 50 Uttar Naimisaranya Vedic-wellness 05.03.20 17.8 - Pradesh Experience 2451 Uttar Prayagraj Azad Park and 05.03.20 14.52 1.45 Pradesh Dekho Prayagraj 24 Trail Experience 52 Uttarakhand Champawat Tea Garden 05.03.20 19.89 1.99 Experience 24 53 Uttarakhand Pithoragarh Rural Tourism 05.03.20 17.86 1.79 Cluster Experience 24 at Gunji Total 2207.08 645.72 ******