Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tourism addressed a Lok Sabha question regarding tourism development in Andhra Pradesh, specifically in Prakasam and Konaseema districts. The Ministry supports State efforts through central sector schemes like Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, and SASCI by providing financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development, subject to fund availability and adherence to guidelines. The schemes include components to improve last-mile connectivity and promote homestays.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Government Initiatives:**
* Tourism development is primarily the responsibility of the State Government/UT Administration.
* The Ministry of Tourism complements these efforts through financial assistance via central sector schemes.
* Schemes include Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), and Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).
* Financial assistance is subject to fund availability, adherence to guidelines, and submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
* Projects sanctioned include augmentation of tourism facilities, amenities, and last-mile connectivity.
* **Homestay Promotion:**
* The Ministry of Tourism issued guidelines for 'Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas' and a template for proposal formulation.
* Private players (OTAs) offer booking facilities, including homestays.
* **Project Details (Andhra Pradesh):**
* **Swadesh Darshan Scheme:**
* Coastal Circuit (Kakinada): ₹67.83 Crore sanctioned and released in 2014-15.
* Coastal Circuit (Nellore): ₹49.55 Crore sanctioned and released in 2015-16.
* Buddhist Circuit: ₹35.24 Crore sanctioned, ₹30.02 Crore released in 2017-18.
* **Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme:**
* Bapatala (Suryalanka Beach): ₹97.52 Crore sanctioned, ₹9.75 Crore authorized in 2024-25.
* Araku (Borra Cave, Lambasingi): ₹29.87 Crore sanctioned, ₹2.99 Crore authorized in 2023-24.
* **Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme:**
* Ahobilam: ₹25.00 Crore sanctioned, ₹2.50 Crore authorized in 2024-25.
* NagarjunaSagar: ₹25.00 Crore sanctioned, ₹2.50 Crore authorized in 2024-25.
* **SASCI Scheme:**
* Gandikota: ₹113.75 Crore sanctioned, ₹77.91 Crore released in 2024-25.
* Raja Mahendravaram: ₹94.44 Crore sanctioned in 2024-25.
* **PRASHAD Scheme:**
* Amaravati: ₹27.77 Crore sanctioned and released in 2015-16.
* Srisailam: ₹43.08 Crore sanctioned and released in 2017-18.
* Simhachalam: ₹54.04 Crore sanctioned, ₹27.37 Crore released in 2022-23.
* Annavaram: ₹25.33 Crore sanctioned, ₹0.00 Crore released in 2024-25.
Impact Analysis:
* **State Government/UT Administration:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for the primary development and promotion of tourism. Can receive financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism for infrastructure development.
* *Action Required:* Adhere to scheme guidelines and submit Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to avail of financial assistance. Formulate proposals for 'Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas'.
* **Ministry of Tourism:**
* *Impact:* Provides financial assistance and guidelines for tourism development.
* *Action Required:* Ensure availability of funds and adherence to scheme guidelines.
* **Private Stakeholders (OTAs):**
* *Impact:* Can offer booking facilities, including homestays, through online portals.
* *Action Required:* Continue to facilitate tourism promotion by offering booking services.
* **Local Communities (including Tribal Areas):**
* *Impact:* Potential beneficiaries of tourism development through improved infrastructure, homestay opportunities, and livelihood enhancement.
* *Action Required:* Engage in homestay programs and other tourism-related activities to improve local livelihoods.
Key Entities Referenced
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India, focus of tourism development mentioned in the policy.
Swadesh Darshan: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for tourism infrastructure development.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD: A scheme complementing tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations.
Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment SASCI: An initiative by the Government of India to provide financial assistance to states for tourism projects.
Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh: A district in Andhra Pradesh where specific sites have been identified for tourism development.
Konaseema district, Andhra Pradesh: A district in Andhra Pradesh where specific sites have been identified for tourism development.
Ministry of Tourism: The government ministry responsible for the Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD and other schemes.
Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh: Location of Amaravati Town, developed as tourist destination under PRASHAD scheme
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1378
ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN ANDHRA PRADESH
1378. SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:
SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has identified specific sites in Prakasam
and Konaseema districts of Andhra Pradesh for tourism development;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the nature of tourism being
promoted at each location;
(c) whether any development or infrastructure projects sanctioned or
under implementation for promoting tourism in the said districts and,
if so, the details thereof;
(d) the details of the funds allocated and released for these projects
during the last five years and the current year;
(e) whether the Government is collaborating with the private
stakeholders for the promotion of tourism in the said districts, if so,
the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(f) the details of the steps taken/being taken to improve last-mile
connectivity and promote homestays/local livelihoods in the said
districts?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (f): Development and Promotion of tourist destinations and tourism
products is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/
Union Territory (UT) Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism
through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan(SD)’, Swadesh
Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ –
a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 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; subject to
availability of funds, adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of
Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by the State Government etc.In addition, Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special
Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ has also provided
financial assistance to the States for development of tourism projects. The
projects sanctioned under the schemes include multiple components
related to augmentation of tourism facilities and amenities including
last mile connectivity.
The details of the projects sanctioned along-with funds allocated
and released under Swadesh Darshan, SD2.0, PRASHAD, CBDD and
SASCI scheme in the state of Andhra Pradesh is Annexed.
With the aim to promote tourism in tribal areas, the Ministry of
Tourism has recently issued guidelines for 'Development of Homestays in
Tribal Areas' along with template for formulation of proposal by State
Governments and UT Administrations. The private players in the industry
have launched various online portals or OTAs which also offer booking
facilities, including booking of homestays.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.1378 ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025 REGARDING TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT IN ANDHRA PRADESH RAISED BY SHRI MAGUNTA
SREENIVASULU REDDY AND SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI
Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the State
of Andhra Pradesh:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Circuit / Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount
No. Sanction Cost Released /
Year Authorized
1. Coastal Development of Kakinada - 67.83 67.83
Circuit Hope Island - Coringa
Wildlife Sanctuary -
2014-15 Passarlapudi- Aduru- S
Yanam– Kotipally
2. Coastal Development of Nellore - 49.55 49.55
Circuit Pulikat Lake - Ubblamadugu
Water Falls – Nelapattu-
2015-16 Kothakoduru- Mypadu-
Ramateertham– Iskapalli
3. Buddhist Development of Buddhist 35.24 30.02
Circuit Circuit: Shalihundam-
Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda-
2017-18 Amravati- Anupu
Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in the
State of Andhra Pradesh:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Year of Destination Name of the Sanctioned Amount
No. Sanction Experience Cost Authorized
1. 2024-25 Bapatala Development of 97.52 9.75
Suryalanka
Beach
Experience
2. 2023-24 Araku- Borra Cave 29.87 2.99
Lambasingi Experience at
ArakuDetails of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination
Development (CBDD) Scheme in the State of Andhra Pradesh:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S.No. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount
Sanction Cost Authorized
1. Ahobilam-A spiritual 2.50
2024-25 25.00
Odyssey
2. Enriching Buddhist Heritage
2024-25 and Cultural Experiences at 25.00 2.50
NagarjunaSagar
Details of Projects sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for
Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme in the State of Andhra Pradesh:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount
No. Sanction Cost Released
1. 2024-25 Enriching the fort and Gorge 77.91
Experience in Gandikota 113.75
2. 2024-25 Akhanda Godavari- (Havelok 94.44
Bridge & PushkarGhat) in Raja
Mahendravaram,
Details of Project sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in the State of
Andhra Pradesh:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Name of the Project Sanction Sanctioned Amount
No. Year Cost Released
1 Development of Amaravati Town, 2015-16 27.77 27.77
Guntur District as a Tourist
Destination
2 Development of Srisailam Temple 2017-18 43.08 43.08
3 Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narsimha 2022-23 54.04 27.37
Swami VariDevasthanam at
Simhachalam in Vishakhapatnam
Temple
4 Development of Pilgrimage 2024-25 25.33 0.00
Tourism Infrastructure in
Annavaram Temple Town
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