Lok Sabha Question No. 7 (STARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: New Tourism Projects
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: LALLU SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*7 ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## NEW TOURISM PROJECTS

†*7. SHRI LALLU SINGH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has recently proposed to launch new tourism  projects  to  promote  tourism  at  large  scale  in  the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether  the  Government  has  sanctioned  such  projects  for West Bengal which has immense potential for tourism development; and (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA 04.02.2019

STARRED QUESTION NO.†*7 ANSWERED ON REGARDING NEW TOURISM PROJECTS.

- (a)  and  (b):    Ministry  of  Tourism  has  taken  several  initiatives  for development and promotion of tourism at large scale in the country which includes the following:
- i. Launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme with a vision to develop theme based tourist circuits.
- ii. Launched the National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme for holistic development of identified pilgrimage destinations.
- iii. Identified  17  Iconic  Tourist  sites  in  the  country  for development.
- iv. Launched the Adopt a Heritage Project for development and maintenance of tourist amenities at heritage sites/monuments and other tourist sites.
- Development and promotion of 'Niche Tourism' products to  attract  tourist  with  specific  interest  and  to  ensure repeat visits for the unique products in which India has a
- v. comparative advantage.
- vi.
- Launched 24x7 toll free Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline.
- destination including its various tourism sites and products through Incredible India 2.0 Campaign in important and potential
- vii. Promoting India as a holistic tourism tourism generating markets.
- viii. Providing  facility  of  e-Visa  for  5  sub-categories  i.e.  eTourist  visa,  e-Business  visa,  e-Medical  visa,  e-Medical Attendant visa and e-Conference visa for nationals of 166 countries.
- (c)  and  (d):    Ministry  of  Tourism  has  sanctioned  projects  having potential for tourism development in West Bengal under its various schemes which is given at Annexure.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (c) AND (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*7 ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019 REGARDING NEW TOURISM PROJECTS.

Swadesh Darshan Scheme

(Rs. in Crore)

| Sl. No.      | State        | Name of the Circuit   | Name of the Project                                                                                                             | Amt. Sanctioned   | Amt. Released   |
|--------------|--------------|-----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|-----------------|
| Year 2015-16 | Year 2015-16 | Year 2015-16          | Year 2015-16                                                                                                                    | Year 2015-16      | Year 2015-16    |
| 1.           | West Bengal  | Coastal Circuit       | Development of Beach Circuit: Udaipur- Digha- Shankarpur- Tajpur- Mandarmani- Fraserganj- Bakkhlai- Henry Island in West Bengal | 85.39             | 61.96           |

PRASHAD Scheme

(Rs. in Crore)

| Sl. No.   | State       | Name of the Project   | Project Cost   | Amt. Released   |
|-----------|-------------|-----------------------|----------------|-----------------|
| Year      |             |                       |                |                 |
|           | 2016-17     |                       |                |                 |
| 1.        | West Bengal | Development of Belur  | 30.03          | 23.39           |

Scheme  for  Assistance  to  Central  Agencies  for  Tourism  Infrastructure Development

(Rs. in Crore)

|   Sl. No. | Name of Project                                                       | Division(s)     |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released | Date of Release   |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|---------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
|         1 | Joint Development of Tourism Amenities at Rampurhat Railway Station   | Howrah Division |                3.48 |              1.74 | 29.03.2018        |
|         2 | Joint Development of Tourism Amenities at Tarakeshwar Railway Station | Howrah Division |                3.86 |              1.93 | 29.03.2018        |

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