## Policy Summary: Tourism Development in Chitrakoot and Banda Districts
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Tourism's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3674, concerning tourism development in Chitrakoot and Banda districts, answered on August 11, 2025. The question addressed targets for tourism development in Chitrakoot, the preservation of historical sites in Banda, the developmental status of both districts from a tourism perspective, and proposed tourism development schemes.
The Ministry of Tourism clarifies that tourism development and promotion are primarily the responsibility of State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations. However, the Ministry provides financial assistance through central sector schemes like Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD). Financial assistance is contingent upon project proposals from State Governments/UT Administrations, assessment, and fund availability.
Specific initiatives for the region include:
* Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, a project for the "Development of Chitrakoot and Shringverpur" in Uttar Pradesh was sanctioned in 2016-17 for Rs. 69.45 Crore.
* In 2023-24, under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, the project "Spiritual Experience at Chitrakoot" in Madhya Pradesh was sanctioned for Rs. 27.21 Crore.
* The State Government of Uttar Pradesh has established the UP Chitrakoot Dham Teerth Vikas Parishad for the consolidated development of Chitrakoot and has implemented multiple development works in Chitrakoot and Banda.
* The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertakes conservation and maintenance of 25 protected monuments and sites in Chitrakoot, including the provision of amenities. Conservation efforts are ongoing, based on the needs of the monuments and available resources.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in India.
Chitrakoot: A prominent pilgrimage site mentioned in the context of tourism development, located in both Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Banda: A district in Uttar Pradesh, mentioned in the context of historical sites and tourism development.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): The Indian government agency responsible for the conservation and preservation of archaeological sites and monuments.
Swadesh Darshan: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism aimed at developing tourism infrastructure in India.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD): A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism focused on developing pilgrimage and heritage tourism destinations.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India where Chitrakoot and Banda districts are located, and where tourism development projects have been implemented.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India where Chitrakoot is located, and where the project Spiritual Experience at Chitrakoot was sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3674
ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN CHITRAKOOT
†3674. SMT. KRISHNA DEVI SHIVSHANKAR PATEL:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the targets of the current financial year's action plan for tourism
development in Chitrakoot, a prominent pilgrimage site in the Banda
Lok Sabha Constituency;
(b) whether the Government is aware that the key mythological and
historical sites such as Kalinjar Fort, Bhuragadh Fort, Madfa Fort
and Jama Masjid in Banda district under the Archaeological Society
of India (ASI) losing their existence due to lack of maintenance;
(c) if so, the details of the steps taken/being taken for their
preservation and conservation;
(d) whether Banda and Chitrakoot districts are the least developed
districts from tourism point of view; and
(e) if so, the details of the major tourism development schemes
proposed for Banda and Chitrakoot districts in near future?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): 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)’ provides financial assistance to the State
Governments / Union Territory Administrations for development of tourism
infrastructure of the country. The financial assistance under theseschemes is provided in consultation with states, subject to receipt of
project proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations, its
assessment, availability of funds etc.
The Ministry of Tourism as part of its Swadesh Darshan scheme
sanctioned a project ‘Development of Chitrakoot and Shringverpur’ in 2016-
17 under Ramayana Circuit for Rs.69.45 Crore in Uttar Pradesh.
Recognizing the importance of Chitrakoot, the Ministry in 2023-24 has
sanctioned the project ‘Spiritual Experience at Chitrakoot’ for Rs.27.21
Crore in Madhya Pradesh under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.
Further, State Government of Uttar Pradesh has informed that it has
implemented multiple development works in Chitrakoot and Banda and has
established ‘UP Chitrakoot Dham Teerth Vikas Parishad’ for consolidated
development of Chitrakoot.
Further, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) informed that it takes
up conservation and maintenance work of 25 protected monuments and
sites in Chitrakoot including provision of amenities like drinking water,
toilet blocks, pathways and landscaping etc. Conservation and
maintenance of monuments and archaeological sites is a continuous
process and is taken up as per the need of monuments and availability of
resources.
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