Lok Sabha Question No. 220 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-18
Subject: Development of Sitamarhi
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Pintu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†220 ANSWERED ON 18.11.2019

## DEVELOPMENT OF SITAMARHI

## †220. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR PINTU:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  develop  Sitamarhi  in Bihar as a tourist spot of national level;
- (b)
- (c)
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof;
- the initiatives taken so far in this regard; and
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Ministry  of  Tourism  under  the  Schemes  of  Swadesh Darshan - Integrated Development of Theme Based Tourist Circuits and  PRASHAD-  National  Mission  on  Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and Spiritual,  Heritage  Augmentation  Drive  provides  central  financial assistance to State  Governments/ UT  Administrations for the development of tourism infrastructure in the country.

The  projects  under  the  above  schemes  are  identified  for development  in consultation with the State  Governments/  UT 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. Ministry has  identified  Sitamarhi  as  one  of the fifteen destination for development under the Ramayana  Circuit theme of  Swadesh Darshan scheme.

The details of project sanctioned to the State of Bihar under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes are as follows:

(Rs. in crore)

| S. No.   | Scheme/ Year of Sanction   | Name of the project                                                                                             |   Amount Sanctioned |
|----------|----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
| 1        | Swadesh Darshan (2016-17)  | Development of Tirthankar Circuit: Vaishali-Arrah-Masad-Patna-Rajgir- Pawapuri-Champapuri as Tirthankar circuit |               52.39 |
| 2        | Swadesh Darshan (2016-17)  | Integrated Development of Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj - Dharmshala- Deoghar under Spiritual circuit              |               52.35 |
| 3        | Swadesh Darshan (2016-17)  | Construction of Cultural Centre at Bodhgaya Under Buddhist Circuit                                              |               98.73 |
| 4        | Swadesh Darshan (2017-18)  | Development of Rural (Gandhi) Circuit: Bhitiharwa - Chandrahia - Turkaulia                                      |               44.65 |
| 5        | Swadesh Darshan (2017-18)  | Dvelopment of Mandar Development Hill & Ang Pradesh under Spiritual Circuit                                     |               53.49 |
| 6.       | PRASHAD (2014-15)          | Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad temple, Gaya                                                       |                4.27 |
| 7.       | PRASHAD (2015-16)          | Development of Patna Sahib                                                                                      |               41.54 |
| Total    | Total                      | Total                                                                                                           |              347.42 |

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