Centre Sanctions 117 Tourism Infra Projects Worth Rs 5,756 Crore in Two Years
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the projects have been approved under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, the Challenge-Based Destination Development Scheme, the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development, the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JUGA), and the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.
Of the total, projects worth Rs 1,565.62 crore have been sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0. Major initiatives include the development of the Suryalanka Beach Experience in Andhra Pradesh, a Buddhist Meditation and Experience Centre at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, the Bhoramdeo Corridor in Chhattisgarh, a convention centre in Daman, tourism infrastructure at Maa Chintpurni Temple in Himachal Pradesh, eco-tourism facilities in Lakshadweep, the Shivshrusthi Theme Park in Pune, and development works at Khatu Shyam Ji Temple in Rajasthan.
Under the Challenge-Based Destination Development Scheme, projects worth Rs 687.99 crore have been approved to develop heritage, spiritual, eco-tourism and Vibrant Village destinations. These include tourism infrastructure at Nagarjuna Sagar, Ahobilam Temple, Varkala, Bidar, Ahmednagar Fort, White Town in Puducherry, Rameswaram, Orchha, Mandu, Anandpur Sahib, Hussainiwala Border and Kainchi Dham.
The ministry has also sanctioned nine projects worth Rs 172.27 crore under the PRASHAD scheme for the development of pilgrimage infrastructure. These include projects at Annavaram Temple Town in Andhra Pradesh, Ambika Bhawani Temple in Bihar, Bom Jesus Basilica in Goa, Renuka Yallama Devi Temple in Karnataka, eight Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu and Renuka Yellama Devasthanam in Telangana.
Under the Assistance to Central Agencies scheme, two projects worth Rs 17.46 crore have been approved, including illumination works at the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu and a 3D mapping and projection show at Buxar in Bihar.
The ministry has also sanctioned Rs 17.52 crore under the DA-JUGA sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 to develop tribal homestays in Andhra Pradesh, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Uttarakhand.
Additionally, tourism projects worth Rs 3,295.76 crore have been approved under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. These include projects such as the Gandikota Fort experience and Akhanda Godavari development in Andhra Pradesh, the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden, Chitrotpala Film City in Chhattisgarh, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Goa, ecotourism projects in Karnataka and Kerala, the INS Guldar Underwater Museum in Maharashtra, the Ramappa Sustainable Tourism Circuit in Telangana, the Nandavanam Heritage Park in Tamil Nadu and the rafting base station in Rishikesh.
Beyond infrastructure development, the ministry said it has strengthened digital tourism promotion through the revamped Incredible India digital platform, launched in September 2024. The multilingual portal offers curated travel information along with integrated booking services for flights, hotels, buses, cabs and Archaeological Survey of India monument tickets through partnerships with online travel platforms.
The ministry is also promoting domestic tourism through initiatives such as Bharat Parv and the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme, while its autonomous institutions, including the Institutes of Hotel Management, Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management and Indian Culinary Institute, organise student exchanges, cultural events and tourism promotion activities highlighting India's regional heritage.
To boost international tourist arrivals, the government continues to promote India through roadshows, trade events, media campaigns and tourism fairs in overseas markets. The Centre has also expanded the e-Visa facility to nationals of 174 countries across nine visa categories, introduced the 24x7 multilingual Tourist Helpline, launched the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification programme and is working with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to improve connectivity to tourist destinations through the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
The ministry is also promoting niche tourism segments including spiritual, eco, adventure, rural, tribal, wellness, medical, MICE, wedding and heritage tourism through dedicated national strategies, infrastructure support and promotional campaigns such as "Meet in India" for MICE tourism and "India Says I Do" for destination weddings.
Published on:
22 July 2026
Share:
We Value Your Comment
