**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2504, answered on December 15, 2025, regarding tourist inflow in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. It outlines the assessment of tourist inflow, steps taken to develop infrastructure, initiatives to promote tourism, measures to promote cultural heritage, and the strategy for sustainable tourism in these states. The report details various central sector schemes implemented by the Ministry of Tourism and lists sanctioned projects along with financial allocations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Tourist Inflow (2024):**
* Maharashtra: 18,93,71,541 Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) and 37,05,170 Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs)
* Madhya Pradesh: 13,31,76,410 DTVs and 1,67,535 FTVs
* **Tourism Infrastructure Development:**
* The Ministry complements tourism infrastructure development through schemes like "Swadesh Darshan," "Challenge Based Destination Development," "Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)," and "Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development."
* Initiatives include safety and security measures, last-mile connectivity, and enhancement of the tourism experience.
* **Promotion of Tourism:**
* The Ministry has projects focusing on lesser-known destinations, rural tourism, and eco-tourism, including the "Eco-Circuit" under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
* The development and promotion of cultural, historical, and heritage sites are primarily undertaken by the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.
* The Ministry promotes tourism destinations through promotional campaigns and participation in national and international events.
* **Sustainable Tourism:**
* The Ministry has formulated a National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism.
* Identified strategic pillars for development of sustainable tourism: Promoting Environmental Sustainability, Protecting Biodiversity, Promoting Economic Sustainability, Promoting Socio-Cultural Sustainability, Scheme for Certification of Sustainable Tourism, IEC and Capacity Building Governance.
* The Ministry launched the Travel for LiFE initiative to promote sustainable tourism.
* **Sanctioned Projects:**
* The document includes annexures listing various projects sanctioned under schemes like Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Challenge Based Destination Development, Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment, PRASHAD, and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, along with their respective costs and release amounts.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Governments/Union Territory Administrations (Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh)**
* **Impact:** Primarily responsible for the development and promotion of tourism destinations and products, including cultural, historical, and heritage sites.
* **Action Required:** Undertake tourism development activities, coordinate with the Ministry of Tourism, and implement sustainable tourism practices.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Tourism**
* **Impact:** Responsible for formulating policies and implementing schemes to promote tourism and provide financial assistance.
* **Action Required:** Continue to support and monitor tourism development projects, launch promotional campaigns, and collaborate with State Governments.
**Stakeholder: Local Communities, Tourists, and Tourism Businesses**
* **Impact:** Benefit from improved tourism infrastructure, increased employment opportunities, preservation of local culture and environment, and enhanced tourist experience.
* **Action Required:** Tourism businesses adopt sustainable tourism practices, tourists embrace responsible travel, and local communities actively participate in tourism activities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The central government body responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies and programs for the development and promotion of tourism in India.
Swadesh Darshan: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country.
Maharashtra: One of the states where tourist inflow and infrastructure development are being assessed and promoted.
Madhya Pradesh: One of the states where tourist inflow and infrastructure development are being assessed and promoted.
PRASHAD: Central sector scheme titled 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive', aimed at holistic development of identified pilgrimage destinations.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2504
ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025
TOURIST INFLOW IN MAHARASHTRA AND MADHYA PRADESH
2504. SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:
DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:
SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE:
SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE:
SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:
SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has assessed the current status of tourist
inflow, both domestic and international and the revenue generated
from tourism in Maharashtra, including key cities such as Mumbai,
Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik, and coastal areas like Konkan and in
Madhya Pradesh including Balaghat Lok Sabha Constituency;
(b) the details of the steps taken/being taken during the last three
years to develop and maintain tourist infrastructure in Maharashtra
and Madhya Pradesh including connectivity, accommodations,
safety measures, and facilities at popular destinations like Ajanta-
Ellora, Shirdi and Lonavala;
(c) whether the Government has introduced or plans to introduce
initiatives to promote lesser-known destinations, rural tourism and
eco-tourism in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and if so, the
details thereof;
(d) the details of the measures undertaken to promote Maharashtra
and Madhya Pradesh's cultural, historical and heritage sites at
national and international forums to attract global tourists; and
(e) whether the Government has formulated a long-term strategy to
ensure sustainable tourism in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to
generate employment opportunities and preserve local culture,
environment and heritage?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a): The details of Domestic and foreign Tourist visits (DTVs & FTVs) inMaharashtra and Madhya Pradesh during 2024 are given below:
State DTVs FTVs
Maharashtra* 18,93,71,541 37,05,170
Madhya Pradesh 13,31,76,410 1,67,535
Source: State Tourism Department
*: Estimated data
The State-wise revenue generated from tourism is not available with
the Ministry of Tourism.
(b) & (c): 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,
‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive
(PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism
Infrastructure Development’ schemes (ACA) is complementing the efforts
of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance
to the State Governments/UT Administrations. 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.
Multiple projects approved under above mentioned schemes include
components pertaining to safety and security, last mile connectivity,
enhancement of tourism experience at various destinations including
those in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
In addition, the Ministry has sanctioned projects in several
States/UTs that focus on lesser-known destinations, rural tourism areas,
and eco-tourism. Notably, “Eco-Circuit” has been identified as one of the
thematic circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
Details of projects sanctioned under the SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD,
SASCI and ACA schemes in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are
Annexed.
(d): The development and promotion of tourism destinations and
products, including those of cultural, historical and heritage significance
in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, are primarily undertaken by the
respective State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. However,
the Ministry of Tourism, as part of its continuous efforts, promotes tourism
destinations and products across the country—including the cultural,historical and heritage sites of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh—
through its various schemes, initiatives, promotional campaigns,
participation in national and international events, as well as through its
official website, social media platforms and other outreach activities.
(e): The Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy for
Sustainable Tourism and the following strategic pillars have been
identified for development of sustainable tourism:
i. Promoting Environmental Sustainability
ii. Protecting Biodiversity
iii. Promoting Economic Sustainability
iv. Promoting Socio-Cultural Sustainability
v. Scheme for Certification of Sustainable Tourism
vi. IEC and Capacity Building Governance
The Ministry has also launched the Travel for LiFE initiative to
promote sustainable tourism across the country, including in Maharashtra
and Madhya Pradesh, and to encourage tourists as well as tourism
businesses to adopt sustainable practices to preserve local culture,
environment and heritage.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (b) & (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.2504 ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025 REGARDING TOURIST
INFLOW IN MAHARASHTRA AND MADHYA PRADESH RAISED BY SHRI
VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL, DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE,
SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE, SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE,
SMT. BHARTI PARDHI AND SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR
The list of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme in the
State of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra: -
Circuit / Amount
S.
State Sanction Name of the Project Sanctioned
No.
Year (₹ Crore)
Development of Wildlife Circuit 92.10
Wildlife
Madhya at Panna- Mukundpur- Sanjay-
1. Circuit
Pradesh Dubri-Bandhavgarh- Kanha-
2015-16
Mukki- Pench
Buddhist Development of Sanchi-Satna- 74.02
Madhya
2. Circuit Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar
Pradesh
2016-17
Heritage Development of Gwalior – 89.82
Madhya
3. Circuit Orchha – Khajuraho – Chanderi
Pradesh
2016-17 – Bhimbetka – Mandu
Development of Gandhisagar 93.76
Dam- Mandleshwar Dam-
Eco
Madhya Omkareshwar Dam- Indira
4. Circuit
Pradesh Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi
2017-18
Dam- Bheda Ghat- Bansagar
Dam- Ken River
Development of Sindhudurg 19.06
Coastal
Coastal Circuit - Sagareshwar,
5. Maharashtra Circuit
Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach &
2015-16
Creek), Mitbhav
Spiritual Development of Waki- Adasa- 45.47
6. Maharashtra Circuit Dhapewada- Paradsingha-
2018-19 Telankhandi- GiradThe list of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme in
the State of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra: -
Sanctioned
S. Year of Name of the
State Destination Cost
No. Sanction Experience
(₹ Crore)
Phoolbagh
Madhya
1. 2023-24 Gwalior Experience 16.74
Pradesh
Zone
Spiritual
Madhya
2. 2023-24 Chitrakoot experience at 27.21
Pradesh
Chitrakoot
Development of
Madhya Pitambara
3. 2024-25 Pitambara 44.24
Pradesh Peeth, Datia
Peeth Datia
Shivsrushti
4. Maharashtra 2023-24 Pune Historical Theme 76.22
Park- Phase 3
Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination
Development (CBDD) Scheme in the State of Madhya Pradesh and
Maharashtra:
Sanctioned
S. Year of Name of the
State Category Cost
No. Sanction Project
(₹ Crore)
Medieval
Madhya Spiritual
1. 2024-25 Splendor 2.0, 25.00
Pradesh Tourism
Orchha
Development of Culture &
2. Maharashtra 2024-25 25.00
Ahmednagar Fort Heritage
Details of Projects sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for
Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme in the State of Madhya Pradesh and
Maharashtra:
Sanctioned Amount
S. Year of
State Name of the Project Cost Released
No. Sanction
(₹ Crore) (₹ Crore)
Madhya Orchha A Medieval
1. 2024-25 99.92
Pradesh Splendour in Orchha
International 131.53
Madhya
2. 2024-25 Convention Centre 99.38
Pradesh
for MICE in BhopalINS-Guldar
Underwater Museum,
3. Maharashtra 2024-25 Artificial Reef, and 46.91
submarine Tourism in 96.39
Sindhudurg
Development of RAM- 99.14
4. Maharashtra 2024-25
KAL PATH in Nashik
The list of the projects sanctioned under PRASHAD scheme in the State of
Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra: -
Sanction Amount
S. Sanction
State Project Name Amount Released
No. Year
(₹ Crore) (₹ Crore)
Madhya Development of
1. 2020-21 49.99 42.55
Pradesh Amarkantak
Madhya Development of
2. 2017-18 43.93 43.93
Pradesh Omkareshwar
Development of
3. Maharashtra 2017-18 45.41 38.44
Trimbakeshwar, Nashik
The list of the projects sanctioned under Assistance to Central Agencies
(ACA) scheme in the State of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra:
Sanction Amount
S. Sanction
State Project Name Amount Released
No. Year
(₹ Crore) (₹ Crore)
Tourism
Infrastructure at
Madhya
1. Beltaal Lake, Damoh, 2020-21 23.15 10.08
Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh by
ITDC.
Development of Kanoji
2. Maharashtra Angre Lighthouse as a 2016-17 15.00 15.00
tourist Destination
Up-gradation/
modernization to
3. Maharashtra International Cruise 2017-18 12.50 12.50
terminal at Indira
Dock, Mumbai.
Upgradation/Moderniz
4. Maharashtra 2021-22 37.50 30.00
ation to InternationalCruise Terminal at
Indira Dock, Mumbai
Port Trust
Nanded Railway
5. Maharashtra 2016-17 5.18 2.59
Station
Aurangabad Railway
6. Maharashtra 2017-18 5.71 2.85
Station
*********