Lok Sabha Question No. 2423 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Modernisation of Tourist Spots in Amritsar
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Gurjeet Singh,Aujla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2423 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## MODERNISATION OF TOURIST SPOTS IN AMRITSAR

## 2423. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that tourist spots in Punjab State  particularly  at  Amritsar  are  not  properly  maintained resulting in drop in tourists especially foreign tourists;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government in consultation with State Government proposes to modernize and maintain tourist spots in Punjab particularly at Amritsar; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the financial allocations made for their maintenance during the current financial year?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (d): As per the data available with the Ministry a growth rate of 172% in Foreign Tourists Arrivals (FTA's) is observed in 2016 as compared to 2015 in Punjab.

The State Government  of Punjab has informed that the following initiatives for development of tourism are being taken:-

Out  of  the  total  project  cost  on  the  Bhagwan  Valmiki  Tirth Sthal  (Ram  Tirath)  at  Amritsar  which  is  Rs.204.92  crore,  they  are incurring  an  amount  of  Rs.188.62  crore,  while  they  have  received Rs.6.45  crore  from  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  under  the  PRASAD Scheme.

Under the ADB Assisted Projects (IDIPT) they are undertaking land  scape  development,  reuse  of  historic  building,  conservation works at Gobindgarh Fort at Amritsar at a cost of Rs.76.22 crore. Executing  projects  with  the  assistance  of  ADB  aimed  at conservation  of  important  tourist  sites  across  Punjab,  besides development  of  utilities  at  tourist  locations  given  in  the  project. Under  this  project  major  activities  taken  up  are  Conservation, renovation and Town Hall Amritsar, Darbar Hall-Kapurthala, Tombs and Rauza Sharif in Fatehgarh Sahib and Reuse at Rambagh Palace. Eco-tourism  Development  is  being  undertaken  at  Ropar  and Harike Wetlands, and Development of Chatbir Zoo. Interpretation  Centres  at  Chamkaur  Sahib.  Conservation  and adaptive reuse of town hall and historic building along with heritage walk in Amritsar. Heritage conservation and tourism development in Gurdaspur district,  Conservation  and  adaptive  reuse  of  Colonial  heritage  in Kapurthala- Gol Kothi, Gulabi Kothi and Buggy Khana. In  order  to  ensure  proper  maintenance  of  the  heritage,  the Government    of  Punjab  has  established  Amritsar Culture  and Tourism Development Authority for preservation, maintenance, cleanliness, provision for supply of essential services like electricity,  water  supply,  beautification  and  monument  lighting, sanitation, proper maintenance of roads and disposal of solid waste in  the  vicinity  and  around  the  Sri  Golden  Temple,  Sri  Durgiana Mandir, Ram Tirath Mandir, Gobindgarh Fort, Town Hall, Panorama, Urban Hatt etc.

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