Lok Sabha Question No. 1252 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Development of Buddhist Corridor
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Nama Nageswara Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1252 ANSWERED ON 19.09.2020

## DEVELOPMENT OF BUDDHIST CORRIDOR

## 1252. SHRI NAMA NAGESWARA RAO:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken for developing important 'Buddhist Corridor' from Telangana to Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) whether the State Government of Telangana has recommended for Buddhist  corridor  and  the  same  is  pending  with  the  Central Government for the last three years;
- (c) whether the Government is considering for early implementation of the Buddhist corridor proposed by the State of Telangana;
- (d) whether any budget/funds been allocated for the above project and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  it  will  be  developed  as  'Buddhist  Tourism  Spot'  in Telangana; and
- (f) the  employment  likely  to  be  generated  by  this  important  tourism project?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) to (f): Development and promotion of tourist places is primarily the responsibility of concerned State Government/ Union Territory Administration. Ministry of Tourism   under its Swadesh Darshan scheme provides  financial  assistance  to  State  Governments/Union  Territory Administrations/ Central Agencies for development of tourism infrastructure in selected thematic circuits in the country in planned and prioritized  manner.  The  projects  under  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  are identified for development in consultation with the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence  to scheme  guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier etc.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  had  received  a    project    from  the  State Government of  Telangana  for  'Development of  Integrated  Buddhist Circuit  in  Telangana'    in    January,  2018.  However,  Ministry  of  Tourism under the  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme  has  already  sanctioned  the following projects in the State of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh:

| State/ Year of Sanction   | Theme            | Details of Project                                                                                                                                                                  |   Sanctioned amount in Cr. |
|---------------------------|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|
| Telangana (2015-16)       | Eco Circuit      | Development of Circuit in Mahaboobnagar districts (Somasila, Singotam, Kadalaivanam, Akkamahadevi, Egalanpanta, Farahabad, Uma Maheshwaram, Mallelatheertham)                       |                      91.62 |
| Telangana (2016-17)       | Tribal Circuit   | Integrated Development of Mulugu-Laknavaram- Medavaram- Tadvai- Damaravi- Mallur- Bogatha Waterfalls.                                                                               |                      79.87 |
| Telangana (2017-18)       | Heritage Circuit | Development of Heritage Circuit: QutubShahi Heritage Park- Paigah Tombs- Hayat Bakshi Mosque- Raymond's Tomb                                                                        |                      96.9  |
| Andhra Pradesh (2014-15)  | Coastal Circuit  | Development of Circuit at Kakinada - Hope Island - Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary - Passarlapudi - Aduru - S Yanam - Kotipally                                                          |                      67.84 |
| Andhra Pradesh (2015-16)  | Coastal Circuit  | Development of Nellore,Pulikat Lake, Ubblamadugu water falls, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Mypadu Beach, Ramatheertham                                                                 |                      59.7  |
| Andhra Pradesh (2017-18)  | Buddhist Circuit | Development of Buddhist Circuit: Shalihundam-Thotlakonda- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda- Amravati- Anupu in Andhra Pradesh under the theme of Buddhist Circuit of Swadesh Darshan Scheme. |                      52.34 |

The    objective    of    development  of    tourist    circuits    under Swadesh Darshan  is  to  enhance  the  infrastructure  facilities at the select    tourist    destinations  thereby    creating  employment  through active    involvement    of    local  communities    and    to  harness    tourism potential    for  its    effects  in    employment    generation    and    economic development.

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