Lok Sabha Question No. 3836 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-19
Subject: Infrastructure Development in NER
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: RAM PRASAD SARMAH, JANARDAN MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3836 ANSWERED ON 19.03.2018

## INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN NER

## 3836. SHRI RAM PRASAD SARMAH: SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken adequate steps to showcase the rich cultural heritage of North Eastern States of the country both at domestic and international level and if so, the details thereof along with the extent of success achieved therefrom;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  received  proposals  for  tourism promotion and infrastructure development in the North Eastern Region (NER) and if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Assam;
- (c) whether any proposals are pending with the Government and if so, the details thereof along with their status;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  identified  certain  new  spots  in the NER for development of infrastructure and tourism promotion and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the  details  of  funds  allocated  for  tourism  promotion  and infrastructural  development  in  the  NER  during  the  last  three years, year-wise and State-wise; and
- (f) the  details  of  national  and  international  tourists  visited  the NER during the said period, State-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a): The  Ministry  of  Tourism undertakes various activities for the promotion  of  North  Eastern  region  of  the  country  as  a  tourist destination. These activities include (i) Release of television campaigns on Doordarshan and private channels in the country (ii) Production of publicity material, creatives and television commercials/promotional  films  on  the  region  (iii)  The  North  East region is the  theme of the India Pavilion set up by the  Ministry  at the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) in which the Ministry participates annually (iv) Complimentary space is provided to  the  North  Eastern  States  for  their  participation  in  the  India Pavilion set up by the Ministry at major international travel fairs and exhibitions  (v)  The  Ministry    organizes  an  annual  International Tourism  Mart  in  the  North  Eastern  region  with  the  objective  of highlighting the tourism potential of the region. (b)  to  (e):  Ministry  of  Tourism,  under  its  Domestic  Promotion  and Publicity including Hospitality Scheme provides financial assistance to  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  for  organising  fairs  and festivals  which  have  the  potential  for  promoting  tourism  to  the region.  The  details  of  funds  sanctioned  for  organising  fairs  and festivals  in  the  North  East  Region  is  given  in  Annexure  -  I.  For development of tourism infrastructure in the country, the Ministry of Tourism has launched Swadesh Darshan - Integrated Development of  Theme  Based  Tourist  Circuits  Scheme  in  2014-15.  Ministry  of Tourism is developing infrastructural facilities at religious places in the  country  under  its  scheme  of  PRASHAD-  National  Mission  on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive. Submission  of  proposals  are  a  continuous  process  and  financial assistance is extended subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier. The details of the tourism projects  sanctioned  in  NER  under  the  above  Schemes  during  the last  three  financial  years  including  the  current  year  are  given  in Annexure - II. The  details  of  national  and  international  tourists  who  have

(f): visited NER during the last three years ( 2014,2015 and 2016), yearwise and State -wise, is given in Annexure -III.

********

ANNEXURE - I

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (b) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3836 ANSWERED ON 19.03.2018 REGARDING INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN NER.

Details  of  Central  Financial  Assistance  (CFA)  for  organizing  fairs  and festivals during the last three years in- NE Region

(Rs. in Lakh)

| Sl. No.   | Name of the State   | Year    | Name of the Fair / Festival                                                                                                                                                                          |   Amt. Sanctioned |   Amt. Released |
|-----------|---------------------|---------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|-----------------|
| 1         | Assam               | 2015-16 | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                 0 |               0 |
|           |                     | 2016-17 | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                 0 |               0 |
|           |                     | 2017-18 | (1). Rass Mahotsav, Majuli -Nov.2016- Rs.20.00 lakh, (2) Bodo National Festival- Feb.2016- Rs.5.00 lakh, (3) Rongali Festival- March-2017 Rs.10.00 lakh                                              |                35 |              35 |
| 2         | Arunachal Pradesh   | 2015-16 | Kameng River Eco- Tourism Festival (ii) Menchuka Adventure Festival and (iii) Orange Festival Dambuk                                                                                                 |                30 |              30 |
|           |                     | 2016-17 | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                 0 |               0 |
|           |                     | 2017-18 | (1) Tawang festival - 28th to 31st Dec. 2017- Rs.20.00 lakh, (2) Menchuka Adventure Festival - 7th to 9th Nov. 2017 - Rs.10.00 lakh (3) Orange Festival Dambuk 15th to 18th Dec. 2017- Rs.10.00 lakh |                40 |              40 |
| 3         | Manipur             | 2015-16 | Celebration of Manipur Sangai Festival and Youth, Adventure and Water Sports Festival                                                                                                                |                50 |              50 |

|    |           |         | Manipur 2015                                                                                                                                                                                              |       |       |
|----|-----------|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|
|    |           | 2016-17 | Manipur Sangai Festival, and Youth Adevnture and Water Adventure sports festival 2016                                                                                                                     | 50.00 | 50.00 |
|    |           | 2017-18 | (1) Manipur Sangai Festival- 21st Nov. to 30th Nov. 2017- Rs. 25.00 lakh and 'Youth Adventure (2) Water Sports Festival Nov. Month 2017-Rs25.00 lakh.                                                     | 50.00 | 50.00 |
| 4  | Meghalaya | 2015-16 | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                       | 0     | 0     |
|    |           | 2016-17 | Wengala Dance Festival and Noghkrem Dance Festival, 2016                                                                                                                                                  | 42.22 | 42.22 |
|    |           | 2017-18 | 1. Wangala Dance - 9th to 11th Nov. 2017 Rs. Rs.12.50 lakh, 2. Nongkrem dance Festival 2017- 10th and 11th December, 2017 - Rs.12.50 Lakh 3. Lasubon Festival- Festival- 1st week Nov.2017- Rs.25.00 Lakh | 50.00 | 50.00 |
| 5  | Mizoram   | 2015-16 | Celebration of Anthurium Festival and Thalfavang Kut Festival 2015                                                                                                                                        | 50.00 | 50.00 |
|    |           | 2016-17 |                                                                                                                                                                                                           |       |       |
|    |           | 2017-18 | Celebration of Winter Festival - 23rd Nov. to 25th Nov. 2017- Rs.25.00 lakh Celebration of Chapchar Kut 2018 in the State of Mizoram for the year 2017-18.                                                | 50.00 | 50.00 |

| 6   | Nagaland   | 2015-16   | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |   0 |   0 |
|-----|------------|-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----|-----|
|     |            | 2016-17   | Hornbill Festival 1st to 10th December, 2016                                                                                                                                                                                                   |  25 |  25 |
|     |            | 2017-18   | 1. Rengm's Ngadah festival- 27t Nov. 2017 to 28th Nov. 2017- Rs.12.50 lakh, 2.Hornbill festival - 1st December, to 10th Dec. 2017- Rs.25.00 lakh 3. Sekrenyi Festival (25th Feb. 2018 to 27 Feb. 2018) in the State of Nagaland- Rs.12.50 lakh |  50 |  50 |
| 7   | Sikkim     | 2015-16   | World Tourism Day Gangtok, on 27th September 2015 (ii) Sikkim Winter Carnival, Gangtok, on 3rd and 9th December 2015                                                                                                                           |  44 |  44 |
|     |            | 2016-17   | World Tourism Day Gangtok 27th September, 2016 and (ii) Celebration of Red Panda Winter Festival Gangtok December 2016                                                                                                                         |  50 |  50 |
|     |            |           | Production of Pubicity Materials for the year 2016-17                                                                                                                                                                                          |  50 |  40 |
|     |            | 2017-18   | (1),Red Panda Winter festival, Gangtok- during December, 2017 - Rs.25.00 lakh (2) World Tourism Day, Gangtok-27th September, 2017 - Rs.25.00 lakh of Sikkim 2017-18                                                                            |  50 |  50 |
| 8   | Tripura    | 2015-16   | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |   0 |   0 |
|     |            | 2016-17   | Neermahal Festival at Rajghat, Melaghar in                                                                                                                                                                                                     |  18 |  18 |

|         | Sepahijala District (ii) Devali Festival st Maabari, udaipur in Gomati District (iii) Pilak Festival, at Julaibari Santirbazar in South Tripura-2016   |    |    |
|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----|----|
| 2017-18 | Nil                                                                                                                                                    |  0 |  0 |

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ANNEXURE-II

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (b)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3836 ANSWERED ON 19.03.2018 REGARDING INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN NER.

DETAILS  OF  TOURISM  PROJECTS  SANCTIONED  IN  NORTH  EAST INDIA UNDER SWADESH DARSHAN AND PRASHAD SCHEME

(Rs. in Crore)

| Sl. No.      | State/UT     | Name of the Scheme     | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | Amount Sanctioned   | Amount released   |
|--------------|--------------|------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|
| Year 2015-16 | Year 2015-16 | Year 2015-16           | Year 2015-16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | Year 2015-16        | Year 2015-16      |
| 1.           | Manipur      | Swadesh Darshan Scheme | Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal- Moirang- Khongjom- Moreh under North- East India Circuit.                                                                                                                                                          | 89.66               | 61.32             |
| 2.           | Sikkim       | Swadesh Darshan Scheme | Development of Tourist Circuit linking Rangpo (entry) - Rorathang- Aritar- Phadamchen- Nathang-Sherathang- Tsongmo- Gangtok- Phodong- Mangan- Lachung-Yumthang- Lachen- Thangu- Gurudongmer- Mangan- Gangtok- TuminLingee- Singtam (exit) in Sikkim under North- East | 98.05               | 71.57             |

|       |                           |                                        | India Circuit.                                                                                                                                   |             |             |
|-------|---------------------------|----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------|
| 4.    | Mizoram                   | Swadesh Darshan Scheme                 | Circuit Integrated Development of New Eco Tourism under Swadesh Darshan- North East Circuit at Thenzawl & South Zote, District                   | 94.91       | 75.92       |
| 5.    | Assam                     | Swadesh Darshan                        | Serchhip and Reiek, Mizoram under North East India Circuit                                                                                       | 95.67       | 43.05       |
|       |                           | Scheme                                 | Development of Manas- Probitora- Nameri- Kaziranga- Dibru- Saikhowa as Wildlife Circuit in Assam under Wildlife Circuit.                         |             |             |
| 6. 7. | Arunachal Pradesh Tripura | Swadesh Darshan Scheme Swadesh Darshan | Integrated Development of New Adventure Tourism in Arunachal Pradesh under North East India Circuit Development of North East Circuit : Agartala | 97.14 99.59 | 74.27 49.79 |

|              |              |                        | Dumboor- Narikel Kunja- Gandachara- Ambassa in Tripura under North East India Circuit                                                                                                          |              |              |
|--------------|--------------|------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|--------------|
| 8.           | Assam        | PRASHAD Scheme         | Development of Kamkhya Temple and Pilgrimage Destination in and around Guwahati                                                                                                                | 33.98        | 16.99        |
| Year 2016-17 | Year 2016-17 | Year 2016-17           | Year 2016-17                                                                                                                                                                                   | Year 2016-17 | Year 2016-17 |
| 9.           | Meghalaya    | Swadesh Darshan Scheme | Development of Umium (Lake View), U Lum Sohpetbneng Mawdiangdiang - Orchid Lake Resort, Meghalaya under North East Circuit.                                                                    | 99.13        | 44.61        |
| 10.          | Manipur      | Swadesh Darshan Scheme | Development of Spiritual Circuit - Shri Govindajee Temple, Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple - Shri Gopinath Temple - Shri Bungshibodon Temple - Shri Kaina Temple, Manipur under Spiritual Circuit | 53.80        | 24.24        |
| 11.          | Sikkim       | Swadesh Darshan Scheme | Development of Tourist Circuit Linking Singtam- Maka- Temi-Bermoik Tokel- Phongia- Namchi -Jorthang- Okharey- Sombaria-                                                                        | 95.32        | 19.06        |

|    |          |                        | Daramdin- Jorethang- Melli (Exit) in Sikkim under North East India circuit.                                                                                                                            |       |       |
|----|----------|------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|
| 12 | Nagaland | Swadesh Darshan Scheme | Development of Tribal circuit (Mokokchung- Tuensang-Mon) in Nagaland under Tribal circuit                                                                                                              | 99.67 | 49.83 |
| 13 | Assam    | Swadesh Darshan Scheme | Development of Tezpur - Majuli - Sibsagar as Heritage Circuit in Assam under Swadesh Darshan scheme under Heritage Circuit                                                                             | 98.35 | 19.67 |
| 14 | Mizoram  | Swadesh Darshan Scheme | Development of Eco- Adventure Circuit Aizawl -Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Durtlang - Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng -Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang under Eco circuit theme | 99.07 | 44.63 |

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ANNEXURE-III STATEMENT  IN REPLY TO PART  (f)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3836 ANSWERED ON 19.03.2018 REGARDING INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN NER. DETAILS  OF  DOMESTIC  TOURIST  AND  FOREIGN  TOURIST  VISITS  TO NORTH EAST INDIA, STATE-WISE, DURING 2014, 2015 AND 2016

| Sl.   | State/ UT   | 2014     | 2014    | 2015     | 2015    | 2016     | 2016    |
|-------|-------------|----------|---------|----------|---------|----------|---------|
| No.   |             | Domestic | Foreign | Domestic | Foreign | Domestic | Foreign |
| 1     | Arunachal   | 335974   | 5204    | 352067   | 5705    | 385875   | 6598    |
|       | Pradesh     |          |         |          |         |          |         |
| 2     | Assam       | 4826702  | 21537   | 5491845  | 24720   | 5160599  | 12685   |
| 3     | Manipur     | 115499   | 2769    | 146169   | 3260    | 150638   | 3064    |
| 4     | Meghalaya   | 716469   | 8664    | 751165   | 8027    | 830887   | 8476    |
| 5     | Mizoram     | 68203    | 921     | 66605    | 798     | 67238    | 942     |
| 6     | Nagaland    | 58507    | 2585    | 64616    | 2769    | 58178    | 3260    |
| 7     | Sikkim      | 562418   | 49175   | 705023   | 38479   | 747343   | 66012   |
| 8     | Tripura     | 361247   | 26688   | 363172   | 34886   | 370618   | 36780   |

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