Lok Sabha Question No. 2439 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Funds Allocated for Promotion of Spiritual Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK, RAMDAS CHANDRABHANJI TADAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2439 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR PROMOTION OF SPIRITUAL TOURISM

†2439. DR. RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK':

SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has asked the State Governments to expedite  work  on  the  development  of  spiritual  circuits  in several parts of the country;
- (b) whether the  Government has identified theme based  circuits across the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has allocated funds for the development  of  the  spiritual  circuits  during  the  last  three years and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether many State Governments have identified land for the circuits and sent a proposal to the Government and if so, the details thereof including Kelijhar and Girad in Nagpur spiritual circuit; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  rope  in  the Private sector in bringing the tourism sector in the country on to the global tourism map and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): For Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits in the country, the Ministry of Tourism has launched Swadesh Darshan Scheme in 2014-15.

Under  the  Scheme,  thirteen  thematic  circuits  have  been identified for development namely; North-East India Circuit,

Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert  Circuit,  Tribal  Circuit,  Eco  Circuit,  Wildlife  Circuit,  Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit and Heritage Circuit. The State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations are advised to identify projects under the above thematic circuits including Spiritual circuit of Swadesh Darshan Scheme and submit the same to the Ministry for consideration.

The  details  of  the  projects  sanctioned  under  the  Spiritual circuit  theme  of  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme  since  its  launch  is  as under:

(Rs.in Crore)

| Sl. No.      | Name of State   | Project Name                                                                                                                                                        | Amt. Sanctioned   |
|--------------|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
| Year 2016-17 | Year 2016-17    | Year 2016-17                                                                                                                                                        | Year 2016-17      |
| 1.           | Kerala          | Development of Sabarimala - Erumeli-Pampa-Sannidhanam as a Spiritual Circuit in District Pathanamthitta, Kerala.                                                    | 99.99             |
| 2.           | Manipur         | Development of Spiritual Circuit: Shri Govindajee Temple- Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple- Shri Gopinath Temple- Shri Bungshibodon Temple- Shri Kaina Temple, Manipur. | 53.80             |
| 3.           | Kerala          | Development of Sree Padmanabhaswamy- Arnamula- Sabrimala as a Spiritual Circuit in Kerala                                                                           | 92.44             |
| 4.           | Bihar           | Development of Jain Circuit: Vaishali-Arrah-Masad-Patna- Rajgir-Pawapuri-Champapuri as Spiritual Circuit in Bihar.                                                  | 52.39             |
| 5.           | Bihar           | Integrated Development of Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj - Dharmshala- Deoghar under Spiritual circuit in Bihar.                                                        | 52.35             |
| 6.           | Uttar Pradesh   | Development of Spiritual Circuit (Shahjahanpur-Allahabad- Basti- Ahar- Aligharh- Kasgunj- Sarosi-                                                                   | 76.00             |

|    |               | Pratapgarh- Unnao-Kaushambi- Mirzapur-Gorakpur- Kairana- Doamriyagunj- Bagpat- Barabanki- Azamgarh).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |       |
|----|---------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
|  7 | Uttar Pradesh | Development of Spiritual Circuit -II(Bijnor- Meerut- Kanpur- Kanpur Dehat- Banda- Ghazipur- Salempur- Ghosi- Balia- Ambedkar Nagar- Aligarh- Fatehpur- Deoria- Mahoba- Sonbhadra- Chandauli- Mishrikh- Bhadohi) in Uttar Pradesh under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.                                                                                       | 62.96 |
|  8 | Rajasthan     | Development of Spiritual Circuit- Churu (Salasar Balaji)- Jaipur (Shri Samode Balaji, Ghatke Balaji, Bandheke Balaji)- Alwar (Pandupole Hanumanji, Bharathari)- Viratnagar (Bijak, Jainnasiya, Ambika Temple)- Bharatpur (Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) - MehandipurBalaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji) in Rajasthan under Swadesh Darshan scheme. | 93.9  |
|  9 | Puducherry    | Development of Spiritual Circuit in Puducherry under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | 40.68 |

(d): The submission of project proposals by the State Governments/UT  Administrations  under  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme is  a  continuous  process.  The  projects  are  sanctioned  subject  to availability  of  funds,  liquidation  of  pending  utilization  certificates, submission of suitable Detailed Project Report and adherence to the scheme guidelines. The Government of Maharashtra has submitted a  project  proposal  for  Development  of  Adasa,  Waki,  Dhapewada, Paradsinga,  Narayanpur,  Chota  Taj  Bagh,  Gorakshan,  Telankhedi, Kelzar  and  Girad  in  Maharashtra  under  Spiritual  Circuit  theme  of Swadesh Darshan scheme.

(e): The Ministry under the scheme  of Assistance to Large Revenue Generating Projects provides financial assistance to Public Sector Undertakings, Agencies or Autonomous Bodies of Central/State Governments as well as projects promoted by private sector/PPP  Projects  recommended  by  the  State  Governments/UT Administrations  in  form  of  Viability  Gap  Funding  to  promote  large projects  like  Tourist  Trains,  Cruise  Vessels,  Convention  Centres, Golf Courses, Health and Rejuvenation facilities etc. In addition to above, the Ministry also organised Incredible India Tourism Investors' Summit in September 2016 with the objective of positioning the Indian Tourism for attracting large investors.

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