Parliament Question: Tourism Development Projects in West Bengal

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*313 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN WEST BENGAL *313. DR. SHARMILA SARKAR: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the details of tourism projects sanctioned in West Bengal under various Central Sector schemes during the last five years, particularly those aimed at the conservation, restoration and promotion of the heritage and tourism potential of Bardhaman, Bankura, and Birbhum districts; (b) the details of funds allocated, released and utilized by the said State under various tourism development schemes, scheme-wise during the last five years; and (c) whether the Central Government proposes to sanction any new tourism development projects for the said State during the current financial year and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. *******STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (C) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*313 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 REGARDING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN WEST BENGAL RAISED BY DR. SHARMILA SARKAR (a) to (b): Identification, development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government (SG)/Union Territory Administration (UTA). However, the Ministry of Tourism through its schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ – a sub-scheme of SD2.0 and ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the SGs/UTAs including the State of West Bengal ; subject to adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by them, availability of funds, Government directions, inter-se priority etc. under these schemes. The details of tourism projects sanctioned in West Bengal under various Central Sector schemes during the last five years are Annexed at Annexure. (c): Sanctioning of proposal is a continuous process. Destinations and projects are selected/sanctioned based on proposals received from the States/UTs, their appraisal as per the Scheme Guidelines and availability of funds. Accordingly, the Swadesh Darshan portal has been opened and proposals have been invited from all State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for consideration under the SD 2.0 Scheme. Eligible proposals received from West Bengal, as well as from other States/UTs, are considered in accordance with the extant Guidelines and subject to appraisal and availability of funds. *******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (B) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*313 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 REGARDING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN WEST BENGAL RAISED BY DR. SHARMILA SARKAR List of sanctioned projects under PRASHAD Scheme as on 05.06.2026 (in ₹ Crore) S. State Sanction Project Name Sanction Amount Amount No. Year Amount Released Utilised 1 West Bengal 2016-17 Development of 30.03 28.30 23.39 Belur Math List of Projects Sanctioned under the Scheme Assistance to Central Agencies (in ₹ Crore) S. Agency Name of State Sanction Amount Amount Utilized No Project Year sanctioned Released Amount 1 NHIDCL Development Nagaland, 2022- 44.44 35.55 35.55 of 22 viewpoi Meghalay 2023 nts in North E a, Mizora astern State m, (i) Nagaland Arunachal (2 view points) Pradesh, - Rs.5.77 Cr. Manipal Sikkim/ (ii) Meghalaya West (3 view points) – Rs.6.26 Cr. Bengal (iii) Mizoram (9 view points) - Rs.12.78 Cr. (iv) Arunachal Pradesh (4 vie w points) – Rs .6.25 Cr. (v) Manipur (3 view points)-Rs. 5.93 Cr. (vi) Sikkim/Wes t Bengal (1 vie w point)- Rs.3. 70 Cr. 2 Rampurhat West 2017- 3.48 1.74 0 Railway Bengal 2018 Station 3 Tarakeshwar West 2017- 3.87 1.93 0 Railway Bengal 2018 Station 4 New Jalpaigu West 2019- 4.55 2.27 2.0 ri Railway Bengal 2020 Station Swadesh Darshan scheme (in ₹ Crore) S. State/ Circuit/ Name of the Amount Amount Amount No. UT Sanction Project Sanctioned Released/ Utilized Year Authorized for Utilization 1. West Coastal Development of 67.99 65.07 65.07 Bengal 2015-16 Beach Circuit: Udaipur- Digha- Shankarpur- Tajpur- Mandarmani- Fraserganj- Bakkhlai- Henry Island ******