Parliament Question: Tourism Development of Shekhawati Region

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†3584 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 TOURISM DEVELOPMENT OF SHEKHAWATI REGION †3584. SHRI AMRA RAM:

SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has conducted any comprehensive assessment of the heritage, cultural and tourism potential of Mandawa, Fatehpur, Ramgarh, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu and other historic towns in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, if so, the details along with its main findings;

(b) whether the Government has prepared any special plan/scheme or is considering developing the said region as an integrated heritage tourism circuit and a national and international tourist center, if so, the details thereof along with financial provisions and current progress;

(c) the details of fund approved and utilised by the Government on tourism development, heritage conservation, roads, lighting, tourist facilities and promotion in the said region during the last five years, year and district-wise;

(d) whether the Government is implementing or has prepared any special plan for the conservation, restoration of the region's historic havelis, murals, historic buildings, forts, stepwells, chhatris and other cultural heritage and to promote local employment and economy through heritage tourism, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, whether the Government is considering coordinating with the State Government and other relevant organizations to prepare such an action plan? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)(a) to (e): Development and promotion of tourism is primarily done by the concerned State Government (SG)/UT Administration (UTA). However, Ministry of Tourism under its various schemes such as Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) – an initiative under Swadesh Darshan and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) etc. provides financial assistance for development of tourism infrastructure and experiences in the country, to the SGs/UTAs, on receipt of the project proposals from them, in synergy with the scheme guidelines, Government directions, availability of funds, inter-se priority etc.

Government of India under its ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ has also sanctioned multiple projects in 2024-25 with the primary objective to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding and marketing them at global scale.

Guidelines of the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme envisage development of destination master plan based on benchmarking and detailed gap assessment.

The Swadesh Darshan Scheme was initially designed for the integrated development of thematic tourism circuits. The same had been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 adopting a destination-centric approach with a focus on developing sustainable and responsible tourism destinations to enhance visitor experience and effective destination management.

The details of the projects sanctioned under SD2.0 and SASCI schemes in the State of Rajasthan including projects at Sikar in the Shekhawati region is at Annexure.

The tourism projects sanctioned in Rajasthan, including at Sikar, comprises need-based components such as parking and approach roads, tourist facilitation and interpretation facilities, toilets and other public amenities, pathways, landscaping, illumination, signages and visitor- experience facilities. The project DPRs are sanctioned as proposed by the State Government in accordance to the need of the tourist facilitated.

Presently, no tourism project in Churu, Mandawa, Fatehpur, Ramgarh and Jhunjhunu is under active consideration of this Ministry. ******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†3584 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 REGARDING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT OF SHEKHAWATI REGION RAISED BY SHRI AMRA RAM AND

SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

(i) Details of Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in the

State of Rajasthan:

S. Year of Name of the Project/Experience Sanctioned No. Sanction Cost (in ₹ Crore)

1. 2024-2025 Development works at Shri Khatu Shyam Ji 87.87 Temple (Sikar)

2. 2023-2024 Spiritual Experience, Keshavraipatan 21.65

3. 2025-2026 Development Works at Shri Karni mata 22.58 mandir, Bikaner

4. 2025-2026 Development of Malaseri Dungri, Bhilwara 48.73 District

(ii) Details of Projects sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for

Capital Investment Scheme in the State of Rajasthan:

S. Year of Name of the Project/Experience Sanctioned No. Sanction Cost (in ₹ Crore)

1. 2024-25 Development at Amber- Nahargarh and 49.31 Surrounding Area in Jaipur

2. 2024-25 Development at Jal Mahal in Jaipur 96.61 *****