Lok Sabha Question No. 91 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-17
Subject: Development of Heritage Sites as Tourist Spots
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: HARI MANJHI, RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†91 ANSWERED ON 17.07.2017

## DEVELOPMENT OF HERITAGE SITES AS TOURIST SPOTS

- †91.  SHRI HARI MANJHI:
- PROF. RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Government  contemplates  to preserve the mythological heritage of the country and convert them into tourist spots;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the allocated funds for the maintenance, beautification  and  development  of  all  the  tourist  places  in Jharkhand and Bihar by the Government?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  two  schemes  in 2014-15 viz. Swadesh Darshan - Integrated Development of ThemeBased  Tourist  Circuits  and  PRASAD-  Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and Spiritual Augmentation Drive for development of tourism infrastructure in the country.

Under  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  thirteen  thematic  circuits have  been  identified  for  development  including  Spiritual  Circuit, Buddhist  Circuit,  Krishna  Circuit  and  Ramayana  Circuit.  Under PRASAD  scheme,  25  sites  of  religious  significance  have  been identified  for  development  including  Gaya  and  Patna  in  Bihar  and Deoghar in Jharkhand.

Under the Schemes, the projects for development are identified in consultation with the State Governments/UT Administrations. Maintenance of infrastructure projects sanctioned under  these  schemes  is  responsibility  of  the  respective  State Governments/UT  Administrations.  No  project  has  been  sanctioned under these schemes in Jharkhand. The details of projects sanctioned in Bihar are as under:

(Rs. in crore)

| Sl. No.                       | Name of the Project                                                                                                              | Amount sanctioned   |
|-------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
| Under Swadesh Darshan Scheme: | Under Swadesh Darshan Scheme:                                                                                                    |                     |
| 1.                            | Development of Jain Circuit: Vaishali-Arrah- Masad-Patna-Rajgir-Pawapuri-Champapuri as Spiritual Circuit in Bihar.               | 52.39               |
| 2.                            | Integrated Development of Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj - Dharmshala- Deoghar under Spiritual circuit in Bihar.                     | 52.35               |
| 3.                            | Development of Buddhist circuit- Construction of Cultural Centre at Bodhgaya, Bihar                                              | 98.73               |
| 4.                            | Development of Gandhi Circuit: Bhitiharwa - Chandrahia - Turkaulia in Bihar under Rural Circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme. | 44.65               |
| Under PRASAD Scheme:          | Under PRASAD Scheme:                                                                                                             |                     |
| 1.                            | Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad temple, Gaya, Bihar                                                                 | 4.27                |
| 2.                            | Development at Patna Sahib                                                                                                       | 41.54               |

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