**Executive Summary**
This report details the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts to support tourism infrastructure in Delhi as presented in a Lok Sabha reply on March 30, 2026. While primary tourism development is managed by State and Union Territory administrations, the Ministry provides complementary financial assistance through several central schemes. The document highlights that while no projects are currently sanctioned under several major schemes for Delhi, seven specific projects have been funded under the ACATID scheme between 2013 and 2024.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Framework for Tourism Development**
* **Primary Responsibility:** The development and promotion of tourism products (heritage, cultural, and river-based) are the primary responsibility of State Governments (SGs) and Union Territory Administrations (UTAs).
* **Central Support:** The Ministry of Tourism complements these efforts by extending financial assistance through schemes including Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), PRASHAD, and Assistance to Central Agency for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACATID).
* **Funding Criteria:** Financial aid is contingent upon adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), availability of funds, and government priorities.
**Status of Projects in Delhi**
* **Scheme Exclusions:** No projects have been sanctioned in Delhi under the SD, SD2.0, CBDD, or PRASHAD schemes.
* **Yamuna River Tourism:** There are currently no proposals under consideration for tourism activities, river cruises, or waterfront development along the Yamuna River.
* **Marketing Initiatives:** The Ministry holistically promotes tourism through various platforms, including social media, websites, and events.
**Sanctioned ACATID Projects**
The Ministry has sanctioned seven major projects in Delhi under the ACATID scheme:
* **Heritage & Museums:** Construction of an Interpretation Centre at Humayun’s Tomb (2013-14) and renovation of selected facilities at the National Museum (2019-20).
* **Multimedia & Illumination:** Sound and light shows at Purana Quila (2019-20) and Rashtrapati Bhawan (2023-24); illumination and 3D projection mapping at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA).
* **Science Promotion:** A major upgradation of the National Science Centre (2022-23).
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments (SGs) and UT Administrations**
**Impact**
They are the primary stakeholders responsible for regional tourism development but must rely on central schemes to bridge funding gaps for infrastructure.
**Action Required**
Must ensure strict adherence to scheme guidelines and submit comprehensive Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to be considered for central financial assistance.
**Central Implementing Agencies (e.g., ITDC, NCSM, Aga Khan Foundation)**
**Impact**
These agencies are designated to execute specific high-value tourism and heritage projects sanctioned by the Ministry.
**Action Required**
Responsible for the utilization of authorized funds and the timely execution of projects such as illumination, museum renovations, and multimedia shows.
**Ministry of Tourism**
**Impact**
Acts as the governing body for sanctioning funds and promoting Indian tourism destinations globally.
**Action Required**
Continuously evaluate project proposals based on inter-se priority and fund availability while managing national marketing initiatives across various platforms.
Key Entities Referenced
Assistance to Central Agency for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACATID): A scheme providing financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development, under which several specific projects in Delhi have been sanctioned.
Swadesh Darshan (SD): A flagship central scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits, including its 2.0 version.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD): A national mission focused on the holistic development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.
Ministry of Tourism: The primary central government department responsible for the development and promotion of tourism destinations and providing financial assistance to states and UTs.
Delhi: The specific Union Territory central to the tourism promotion initiatives and infrastructure projects detailed in this report.
Ministry of Tourism
PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN DELHI
Posted On: 30 MAR 2026 2:00PM by PIB Delhi
Development and promotion of tourism destinations and products including heritage, cultural and river-
based tourism 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; subject to adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed
Project Reports (DPRs) by them, availability of funds, Government directions, inter-se priority etc.
Sanctioning of project is a continuous process. At present no proposal for development of tourism
activities along the yamuna river including river cruise or waterfront is under consideration in the Ministry
of Tourism.
No project has been sanctioned in Delhi under SD, SD2.0, CBDD and PRASHAD, however, the Ministry
has sanctioned multiple projects under its ACATID scheme, the details of which is annexed.
The Ministry of Tourism through its multiple initiatives holistically promotes various tourism destinations
and products of the country including heritage, culture and river-based tourism. Such promotions are
undertaken through different marketing initiatives undertaken on various platforms, events, websites,
social media promotions etc.
ANNEXURE
The details of the projects sanctioned under ACATID scheme in Delhi:
(in ₹ Cr)
S. Project Name/ Implementing Sanction Amount Amount Amount
No. Sanction Date Agency Year Sanctioned Authorised Utilised
1. Construction of Aga Khan 2013-14 49.45 49.45 49.45
Interpretation Centre Foundation
at the World Heritage
Site of Humayun's
Tomb, New Delhi.2. Sound and Light India Tourism 2019-20 14.04 5.37 5.37
Show at (Purana Development
Quila) Delhi Corporation
(ITDC)
3. Illumination of National 2019-20 3.80 3.04 1.90
Building of National Council of
Gallery of Modern Art Science
Museum
(NCSM)
4. Development & National 2019-20 43.73 21.86 13.2
renovation of selected Council of
facilities of National Science
Museum Museum
(NCSM)
5. 3D visual projection National 2020-21 6.16 4.65 4.29
mapping of NGMA Council of
Building Science
Museum
(NCSM)
6. Project ‘Major National 2022-23 31.80 0.18 0.18
Upgradation of Council of
National Science Science
Centre Museum
(NCSM)
7. Development of Light India Tourism 2023-24 47.12 15.68 9.66
& Sound and Development
Multimedia Show at Corporation
Rashtrapati Bhawan (ITDC)
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in
a written reply in Lok Sabha today
***
M Annadurai
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