Lok Sabha Question No. 114 (STARRED), answered on 2017-07-24
Subject: Development of Ramayana and Buddha Circuits
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*114 ANSWERED ON 24.07.2017

## DEVELOPMENT OF RAMAYANA AND BUDDHA CIRCUITS

†*114. SHRI KIRTI AZAD:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  prepare  any  special scheme  to  develop  Ramayana  circuit  and  Buddha  circuit  to promote tourism in Bihar, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether  the  Government  has  allocated  funds  for  developing basic infrastructure to provide better facilities to the pilgrims, if so, the details thereof; and (c) the  details  of  the  schemes  of  the  Government  to  attract domestic tourists at various religious places in Bihar?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to (c):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*114 ANSWERED ON 24.07.2017 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF RAMAYANA AND BUDDHA CIRCUITS.

(a): Ramayana  and  Buddhist  Circuits  are among  the  thirteen thematic circuits identified for development in the country including Bihar under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

- (b): Under  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  Ministry  of  Tourism  has sanctioned funds for development  of basic infrastructure and facilities for  tourists  which  includes  tourist  facilitation  centre, pathways, illumination, landscaping, parking, exhibition hall, cafeteria, toilet blocks, sewage treatment plant, multi-purpose hall, drinking  water  facilities,  benches,  approach  road,  resting  sheds, signages, battery operated vehicles, wayside amenities, SEL show, souvenir  shops,  etc.    The  details  of  projects  sanctioned  in  Bihar under Swadesh Darshan Scheme are as under:

(Rs. in crore)

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Project                                                                                                          |   Amount sanctioned |
|-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|         1 | Development of Jain Circuit: Vaishali-Arrah-Masad- Patna-Rajgir-Pawapuri-Champapuri as Spiritual Circuit in Bihar. (2016-17) |               52.39 |
|         2 | Integrated Development of Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj - Dharmshala- Deoghar under Spiritual circuit in Bihar. (2016-17)       |               52.35 |
|         3 | Development of Buddhist circuit- Construction of Cultural Centre at Bodhgaya, Bihar. (2016-17)                               |               98.73 |
|         4 | Development of Bhitiharwa -Chandrahia - Turkaulia in Bihar under Rural Circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme. (2017-18)    |               44.65 |

- (c): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  undertakes  a  series  of  promotional activities under the 'Incredible India' brand-line to promote India and

its  various  tourism  products  and  destinations  including  religious places in Bihar in domestic and international markets.

Incredible  India  campaigns  are  released  in  domestic  and international markets in various media including Print, Television, Online  and  Outdoor  to  showcase  India's  tourism potential  and  to  increase  foreign  tourist  arrivals  and  domestic tourist  visits  in  the  country.  A  series  of  promotional  activities  are also  undertaken  through  the  India  Tourism  Offices  in  India  and overseas.  These include participation in travel fairs and exhibitions; organising  Road  Shows,  seminars  &  workshops;  production  of publicity  material  and  hosting  media  personalities,  tour  operators and opinion makers from overseas under the Hospitality programme of the Ministry. The Ministry of Tourism also utilizes its website and social  media  platforms  to  promote  the  tourism destinations  and products of the country.

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