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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1583
ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026
SWADESH DARSHAN 2.0
1583 SHRI GOLLA BABURAO:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the aims and objectives of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) and Challenge-Based Destination
Development Programme;
(b) whether it is a fact that Borra Caves in Araku of Andhra Pradesh has been identified under
SD2.0 in 2024-25 with an estimated cost of ₹30 crores;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) the works proposed to be taken up for developing the above site; and
(e) the present status of those works and by when all the works are likely to be completed?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): While development and promotion of tourism is primarily undertaken by the concerned
State Government/UT Administration, the Ministry of Tourism through its various schemes including
Swadesh Darshan scheme provides financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations
to complement the efforts of tourism infrastructure development. Ministry revamped Swadesh Darshan
scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with a broad objective to undertake sustainable development
of destinations and has accordingly sanctioned 53 projects in the country under SD2.0 which includes
the project “Borra Cave Experience at Araku” in Andhra Pradesh sanctioned in the year 2023-24 for
Rs.29.88 Crore. The project broadly envisages development of tourist facilitation and infrastructure
components such as entrance gate, parking, market street development, visitor centre, cafeteria, amenity
block, cave development, lighting, projection mapping, signages etc and the same has been reported as
at the stage of implementation. Swadesh Darshan scheme is approved till March, 2026.
Further, the Ministry with the idea to undertake holistic development of the destinations has also
sanctioned 38 projects under ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme of
Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.
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