Lok Sabha Question No. 3453 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-15
Subject: Development of Places of Assam as Tourist Destination
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Gaurav Gogoi, Kripanath Mallah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3453 ANSWERED ON 15.07.2019

## DEVELOPMENT OF PLACES OF ASSAM AS TOURIST DESTINATION

## 3453. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI: SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  prepared  any  plan  to  develop parts of Assam to be more tourist friendly;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  places  such  as  Bordowa  Than,  Borbheti, Mallow Pathar, Jorhat Athkeliya, Kaliabor and Sonbeel feature in  these  plans  to  be  specifically  developed  as  tourism  and holiday destinations and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has received a comprehensive proposal under 'Swadesh Darshan Scheme' regarding development of Sonbeel Tourist place from the Assam Government, Department of Tourism;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government so far for allocation of necessary fund;
- (e) whether  Government  has  taken/proposes  to  take  steps  to implement  the  long  awaited  public  demand  for  the  tourism project  as  it  has  tremendous  tourism  potentiality  to  attract domestic and foreign tourists; and
- (f) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  arrange  to  engage  a reputed  consultant  for  preparation  of  DPR  for  the  project  at Sonbeel, one of the largest water body of Asia and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (f): Identification and development of tourism destinations is primarily  the  responsibility  of  State  Governments/Union  Territory

Administrations. However,  Ministry  of  Tourism  under  Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD Schemes is developing tourism infrastructure  in  the  identified  circuits/sites,  across  the  country, having tourism potential in a planned and prioritized manner.

The  projects  under  the  above  schemes  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. Based on the above criteria Ministry has sanctioned following projects in Assam under the above schemes:

(Rs. in crore)

| Sr.                    | Circuit/ Sanction Year     | Project Name                                                                     | Amount Sanctioned      |
|------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|
| SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME | SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME     | SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME                                                           | SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME |
| 1                      | Wildlife Circuit (2015-16) | Development of Manas- Pobitora- Nameri- Kaziranga- Dibru Saikhowa                | 95.67                  |
| 2.                     | Heritage Circuit (2016-17) | Development of Tezpur- Majuli- Sibsagar                                          | 98.35                  |
| PRASHAD SCHEME         | PRASHAD SCHEME             | PRASHAD SCHEME                                                                   | PRASHAD SCHEME         |
| 3.                     | Kamakhya (2015-16)         | Development of Kamakhya Temple and Pilgrimage Destination in and around Guwahati | 33.98                  |

No project has been received from Government of Assam for the development of Bordowa Than, Borbheti, Mallow Pathar, Jorhat Athkeliya, Kaliabor and Sonbeel in Assam.

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