Parliament Question: Tourism Projects in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4 ANSWERED ON 20.07.2026 TOURISM PROJECTS IN TAMIL NADU

4. SHRI RAJA A:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) the details of tourism projects sanctioned under various Central sector schemes for Tamil Nadu, particularly in Coimbatore and Nilgiri districts during the last five years;

(b) the current status of each sanctioned project;

(c) whether any new projects are under consideration during the current financial year;

(d) the details of the funds allocated to Tamil Nadu under various tourism development schemes during the last five years; and

(e) the details of funds released and utilized, year and scheme-wise? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): Development and promotion of tourism destinations and products is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Governments (SGs)/Union Territory Administrations (UTAs). 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, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agency for Tourism Infrastructure Development

(ACATID)’ complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agency.

In addition, Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of IconicTourist Centres to Global Scale’ scheme, has also provided financial assistance to the States in the year 2024-25 for development of tourism projects.

The details of projects sanctioned by the Ministry under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD, SASCI and ACATID schemes in the state of Tamil Nadu including status of the projects are annexed.

Receiving of proposal from the SG/UTAs is a continuous process and projects are sanctioned subject to adherence to scheme guidelines, availability of funds, Government directions, inter-se priority etc.

******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4 ANSWERED ON 20.07.2026 REGARDING TOURISM PROJECTS IN TAMIL NADU RAISED BY SHRI RAJA A The details of the projects sanctioned under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD, SASCI

and ACATID in the state of Tamil Nadu:

(i) Swadesh Darshan Scheme: (in ₹Crore) S.N. Circuit / Name of the Sanctioned Amount Amount Physical Sanction Project Amount Authorized Utilised Status Year

1. Coastal Development of 73.13 71.03 71.03 Complete 2016-17 (Chennai- Mamamallapuram – Rameshwaram – Manpadu– Kanyakumari)

(ii) Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme: (in ₹Crore) S. Year of Destination Name Sanctioned Amount Physical Status N. Sanction of the Amount Authorized Experi for ence utilization

1. 2023-24 Mamallapuram Immers 30.02 - Implementation ive Stage experie nce at Shore Temple(iii) Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme: (in ₹Crore) S.N . Year of Name of the Category Sanctioned Amount Physical Status Sancti Project Cost Authorized on for utilization

1. 2024-25 Iconic Rameswa 20.01 10.01 Implementation transformation ram Stage of Island Rameswaram (Spiritual Tourism)

(iv) Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive

(PRASHAD) Scheme: (in ₹Crore) Sanction Amount Amount Physical S. Sanction Project Name Amount Authorized Utilised Status N. Year Development Complete

1. 2016-17 13.99 13.99 13.99 of Kanchipuram Development Complete

2. 2016-17 4.86 4.86 4.86 of Velankanni Development Implementa

3. of 8 Navagraha 2024-25 40.94 11.75 0.00 tion Stage Temples

(v) Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme: (in ₹Crore) S.N. Year of Name of the Sanctioned Amount Physical Status Sanction Project Amount Released for utilization

1. 2024-25 Development of 99.67 65.78 Implementation Nandavanam Stage Heritage Park inMammallapuram

2. 2024-25 Eco Park at Race 70.23 46.35 Implementation Course in Ooty Stage

(vi) Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development

(ACATID) Scheme: (in ₹Crore) S.N. Project Name Sanction Sanction Amount Amount Physical status Year Amount Released Utilized Illumination a 2024-25 11.47 1.14 -- Implementation nd allied wor Stage ks at Gangaik

1. onda Cholapu ram Temple, District - Ariy alur Cruise Passe 2012-13 17.24 17.24 17.24 Complete nger Facilitie s Centre in th

2. e existing Pa ssenger Term inal at Chenn ai Port.

Rameshwaram 2017-18 4.7 3.75 2.26 Complete

3. Railway Station Madurai 2018-19 4.48 3.56 2.23 Complete

4. Railway Station ******