Lok Sabha Question No. 144 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-18
Subject: Criteria to Set up Tourist Spots under Swadesh Darshan Scheme
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Vinod Kumar Sonkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†144 ANSWERED ON 18.11.2019

## CRITERIA TO SET UP TOURIST SPOTS UNDER SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME

†144. SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  criteria  set  up  to  select  tourist  spots  under  'Swadesh Darshan' scheme to develop and promote tourism;
- (b) the location-wise number of tourist spots identified in States including Uttar Pradesh;
- (c) whether  development  of  Buddhist  Circuit  by  the  Government under Swadesh Darshan Yojana is likely to take more time;
- if  so,  whether  the  famous  Buddhist  site  located  in  district Kaushambi,  Uttar  Pradesh  has  been  included  in  Buddhist
- (d) circuit; and
- (e) if  not,  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  include Buddhist  site  in  Kaushambi,  Uttar  Pradesh  under  Buddhist Circuit in order to promote tourism?

## ANSWER

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

(a): As  per  scheme  guidelines  of  the  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme, the sanctioning of projects is based on following criteria:

-  Potential  to  be  showcased  as  world  class  destination  with diverse tourism experiences.
-  Proximity to existing destinations with connectivity and other infrastructure.
-  Job creation and livelihood enhancement in the region, while conserving and promoting the local arts, cultural, handicrafts, cuisine etc. at the destination.
-  Ability to attract investment in private sector/PPP with specific provisions.
-  Follow a comprehensive area development approach for ensuring  all  the  facilities  required  by  the  tourists  in  the identified circuits.
-  Robust  Operation  and  Management  plan  (O&M)  as  per  preagreed service standards evaluated periodically by an independent agency.

(b): The Ministry has sanctioned 77 projects for Rs.6035.70 Crores under the scheme. The details of same are at annexure.

(c) to (e): Ministry of Tourism has identified Buddhist Circuit as one of the fifteen thematic circuits for development under the Swadesh Darshan  Scheme.  All  sites  in  the  country  related  to  Buddhism including the ones in Uttar Pradesh are covered under this Circuit. Sanctioning of projects under the scheme is a continuous process. Ministry has sanctioned five projects for Rs. 355.26 Crore under the Buddhist Circuit theme covering the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. The work on all the projects is under implementation.

*****

ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.144 ANSWERED ON 18.11.2019 REGARDING CRITERIA TO SET UP TOURIST SPOTS UNDER SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME

## THE DETAILS OF PROJECTS SANCTIONED UNDER SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME

(Rs. in crores)

| Sl. No.          | State/UT/ Circuit                    | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |   Amt. Sanctioned |   Amount released |
|------------------|--------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
| 1.               | Arunachal Pradesh North-East Circuit | Development of Mega Circuit at Bhalukpong- Bomdila and Tawang                                                                                                                                                                            |             49.77 |             39.81 |
| 2.               | Andhra Pradesh Coastal Circuit       | Development of Kakinada - Hope Island - Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary - Passarlapudi - Aduru - S Yanam - Kotipally                                                                                                                          |             67.84 |             64.44 |
| Total of 2014-15 | Total of 2014-15                     | Total of 2014-15                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |            117.61 |            104.25 |
| 3.               | Manipur North-East Circuit           | Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal- Khongjom                                                                                                                                                                              |             72.23 |             61.32 |
| 4.               | Sikkim North-East Circuit            | Development of Tourist Circuit linking Rangpo (entry) - Rorathang- Aritar- Phadamchen- Nathang-Sherathang- Tsongmo- Gangtok- Phodong- Mangan- Lachung-Yumthang- Lachen- Thangu- Gurudongmer- Mangan- Gangtok-TuminLingee- Singtam (exit) |             98.05 |             78.44 |
| 5.               | Uttarakhand Eco Circuit              | Integrated Development of Eco- Tourism, Adventure Sports, Associated Tourism related                                                                                                                                                     |             70.92 |             64.3  |

|    |                                 | Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings                                                                 |       |       |
|----|---------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|
|  6 | Rajasthan Desert Circuit        | Development of Sambhar Lake Town and Other Destinations                                                                     | 63.96 | 51.17 |
|  7 | Nagaland Tribal Circuit         | Development of Tribal Circuit Peren- Kohima- Wokha                                                                          | 97.36 | 77.89 |
|  8 | Madhya Pradesh Wildlife Circuit | Development of Wildlife Circuit at Panna- Mukundpur- Sanjay- Dubri-Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Mukki- Pench                         | 92.22 | 73.78 |
|  9 | Andhra Pradesh Coastal Circuit  | Development of Nellore - Pulikat Lake - Ubblamadugu Water Falls - Nelapattu- Kothakoduru- Mypadu - Ramateertham - Iskapalli | 59.7  | 47.76 |
| 10 | Telangana Eco Circuit           | Integrated Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district                                                     | 91.62 | 73.3  |
| 11 | Kerala Eco Circuit              | Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady                                                                      | 76.55 | 61.24 |
| 12 | Mizoram North East Circuit      | Integrated Development of Thenzawl & South Zote, District Serchhip and Reiek                                                | 94.91 | 75.92 |
| 13 | Assam Wildlife Circuit          | Development of Manas- Probitora- Nameri- Kaziranga- Dibru- Saikhowa                                                         | 95.67 | 76.54 |
| 14 | Puducherry Coastal Circuit      | Development of Dubrayapet - Arikamedu - Veerampattinam - Chunnambar -                                                       | 85.28 | 61.82 |

|                  |                                      | Nallavadu/Narambai - Manapet- Kalapet - Puducherry - Yanam                                                                                                                       |         |         |
|------------------|--------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------|
| 15.              | Arunachal Pradesh North East Circuit | Development of Nafra- Seppa- Pappu, Pasa, Pakke Valleys- Sangdupota- New Sagalee- Ziro- Yomcha                                                                                   |   97.14 |   77.71 |
| 16.              | Tripura North East Circuit           | Development of North East Circuit: Agartala - Sipahijala - Melaghar - Udaipur - Amarpur- Tirthamukh- Mandirghat- Dumboor- Narikel Kunja- Gandachara- Ambassa                     |   99.59 |   74.15 |
| 17.              | West Bengal Coastal Circuit          | Development of Beach Circuit: Udaipur- Digha- Shankarpur- Tajpur- Mandarmani- Fraserganj-Bakkhlai- Henry Island                                                                  |   85.39 |   68.31 |
| 18.              | Chhattisgarh Tribal Circuit          | Development of Jashpur- Kunkuri- Mainpat- Ambikapur- Maheshpur -Ratanpur- Kurdar-Sarodadadar- Gangrel- Kondagaon- Nathiya Nawagaon- Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh             |   99    |   79.2  |
| 19.              | Maharashtra Coastal Circuit          | Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit (Shiroda Beach, Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek), Devgad (Fort & Beach), Mitbhav, Tondavali, Mocehmad and Nivati Fort) |   82.17 |   16.43 |
| Total of 2015-16 | Total of 2015-16                     | Total of 2015-16                                                                                                                                                                 | 1461.76 | 1119.28 |
| 20.              | Goa                                  | Development of                                                                                                                                                                   |   99.99 |   79.99 |

|    | Coastal Circuit                   | Sinquerim-Baga, Anjuna-Vagator, Morjim-Keri, Aguada Fort and Aguada Jail                                                                  |       |       |
|----|-----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|
| 21 | Jammu & Kashmir Himalayan Circuit | Integrated Development of Tourism Infrastructure Projects in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.                                              | 82.97 | 60.47 |
| 22 | Telangana Tribal Circuit          | Integrated Development of Mulugu-Laknavaram- Medavaram- Tadvai- Damaravi- Mallur- Bogatha Waterfalls                                      | 83.88 | 67.1  |
| 23 | Meghalaya North East Circuit      | Development of Umium (Lake View), U Lum Sohpetbneng- Mawdiangdiang - Orchid Lake Resort                                                   | 99.13 | 79.31 |
| 24 | Madhya Pradesh Buddhist Circuit   | Development of Sanchi- Satna-Rewa-Mandsaur- Dhar                                                                                          | 74.94 | 59.95 |
| 25 | Kerala Spiritual Circuit          | Development of Sabarimala - Erumeli- Pampa-Sannidhanam.                                                                                   | 99.99 | 20    |
| 26 | Manipur Spiritual Circuit         | Development of Shri Govindajee Temple, Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple - Shri Gopinath Temple - Shri Bungshibodon Temple - Shri Kaina Temple | 53.8  | 43.04 |
| 27 | Gujarat Heritage Circuit          | Development of Ahmedabad- Rajkot- Porbandar -Bardoli- Dandi                                                                               | 85.01 | 62.63 |
| 28 | Haryana Krishna Circuit           | Development of Tourism Infrastructures at places related to Mahabharata in                                                                | 97.35 | 77.88 |

|    |                                 | Kurukshetra                                                                                                                                                |       |       |
|----|---------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|
| 29 | Rajasthan Krishna Circuit       | Integrated Development of Govind Dev ji temple (Jaipur), Khatu Shyam Ji (Sikar) and Nathdwara (Rajsamand)                                                  | 91.45 | 45.72 |
| 30 | Sikkim North East Circuit       | Development of Tourist Circuit Linking Singtam- Maka- Temi- Bermoik Tokel- Phongia- Namchi - Jorthang- Okharey- Sombaria-Daramdin- Jorethang- Melli (Exit) | 95.32 | 76.25 |
| 31 | Madhya Pradesh Heritage circuit | Development of Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Chanderi - Bhimbetka - Mandu)                                                                                | 92.97 | 74.38 |
| 32 | Kerala Spiritual Circuit        | Development of Sree Padmanabha Arnamula- Sabrimala                                                                                                         | 92.22 | 72.42 |
| 33 | Bihar Tirthankar circuit        | Development of Vaishali- Arrah- Masad- Patna- Rajgir- Pawapuri- Champapuri                                                                                 | 52.39 | 26.19 |
| 34 | Bihar Spiritual circuit         | Integrated Development of Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj - Dharmshala- Deoghar                                                                                 | 52.35 | 39.76 |
| 35 | Odisha Coastal circuit          | Development of Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada and Tampara                                                                                                      | 70.82 | 37.61 |
| 36 | Nagaland Tribal circuit         | Development of Mokokchung-Tuensang- Mon                                                                                                                    | 99.67 | 78.09 |
| 37 | Uttarakhand Heritage circuit    | Development of Heritage Circuit in Kumaon Region - Katarmal -Jogeshwar- Baijnath-Devidhura                                                                 | 79.13 | 63.3  |

|   38. | Jammu & Kashmir Himalayan Circuit         | Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Jammu- Rajouri-Shopian- Pulwama                                                                                 |   96.38 |   48.19 |
|-------|-------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------|
|    39 | Jammu & Kashmir Himalayan Circuit         | Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities under the Construction of Assets in lieu of those Destroyed in Floods in 2014 under PM Development Package for J&K |   90.96 |   74.7  |
|    40 | Jammu & Kashmir Himalayan Circuit         | Integrated Development of Tourist facilities at Mantalai- Sudhmahadev- Patnitop                                                                                 |   97.82 |   48.91 |
|    41 | Jammu & Kashmir Himalayan Circuit         | Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Anantnag- Kishtwar- Pahalgam - Daksum - Ranjit Sagar Dam                                                        |   87.44 |   63.71 |
|    42 | Jammu & Kashmir Himalayan Circuit         | Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Gulmarg- Baramulla-Kupwara-Leh                                                                                  |   96.93 |   45.51 |
|    43 | Uttar Pradesh Buddhist Circuit            | Development of Srawasti, Kushinagar, & Kapilwastu                                                                                                               |   99.97 |   72.56 |
|    44 | Uttar Pradesh Ramayana Circuit            | Development of Chitrakoot and Shringverpur                                                                                                                      |   69.45 |   55.56 |
|    45 | Andaman & Nicobar Islands Coastal Circuit | Development of Long Island-Ross Smith Island- Neil Island- Havelock Island- Baratang Island-Port Blair                                                          |   42.19 |    8.44 |
|    46 | Tamil Nadu Coastal Circuit                | Development of (Chennai-                                                                                                                                        |   74.58 |   53.42 |

|    |                                    | Mamamallapuram - Rameshwaram - Manpadu - Kanyakumari)                                                                                                                                    |       |       |
|----|------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|
| 47 | Uttar Pradesh Spiritual Circuit    | Development of Shahjahanpur-Basti- Ahar-Aligharh-Kasgunj- Sarosi-Pratapgarh- Unnao-Kaushambi- Mirzapur-Gorakpur- Kairana- DoamrFiyagunj- Bagpat-                                         | 68.39 | 54.71 |
| 48 | Uttar Pradesh Spiritual Circuit    | Development of Bijnor- Meerut- Kanpur- Kanpur Dehat- Banda- Ghazipur- Salempur- Ghosi- Balia- Ambedkar Nagar- Aligarh- Fatehpur- Deoria- Mahoba- Sonbhadra- Chandauli- Mishrikh- Bhadohi | 63.77 | 50.33 |
| 49 | Uttar Pradesh Heritage Circuit     | Development of Kalinjar Fort (Banda)- MarharDham (SantKabir Nagar)- ChauriChaura, Shaheed Sthal (Fatehpur)- Mavahar Sthal (Ghosi)- Shaheed Smarak (Meerut)                               | 34.82 | 18.76 |
| 50 | Bihar Buddhist Circuit             | Development of Buddhist circuit- Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya                                                                                                           | 98.73 | 48.69 |
| 51 | Assam Heritage Circuit             | Development of Tezpur - Majuli - Sibsagar                                                                                                                                                | 98.35 | 45.29 |
| 52 | Himachal Pradesh Himalayan Circuit | Integrated Development of Himalayan Circuit in Himachal Pradesh                                                                                                                          | 86.85 | 19.95 |

| 53.              | Mizoram Eco Circuit         | Mizoram Eco Circuit         | Development of Eco- Adventure Circuit Aizawl -Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Durtlang - Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng - Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang                                                                                                          |   99.07 |   49.53 |
|------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------|
| 54.              | Rajasthan Spiritual Circuit | Rajasthan Spiritual Circuit | Development of Churu (Salasar Balaji)- Jaipur (Shri Samode Balaji, Ghat ke Balaji, Bandhe ke Balaji)- Alwar (Pandupole Hanumanji, Bharathari)- Viratnagar (Bijak, Jainnasiya, Ambika Temple)- Bharatpur (Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) - MehandipurBalaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji) |   93.9  |   68.24 |
| 55.              | Gujarat Heritage Circuit    | Gujarat Heritage Circuit    | Development of Vadnagar- Modhera and Patan                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |   98.61 |   79.85 |
| Total of 2016-17 | Total of 2016-17            | Total of 2016-17            | Total of 2016-17                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | 3001.49 | 1970.44 |
| 56.              | 56.                         | Bihar Rural Circuit         | Development of Gandhi Circuit: Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- Turkaulia                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |   44.65 |   21.24 |
| 57.              | 57.                         | Goa Coastal Circuit         | Development of Coastal Circuit II: Rua De Orum Creek - Don Paula -Colva - Benaulim                                                                                                                                                                                                       |   99.35 |   49.68 |
| 58.              | 58.                         | Gujarat Buddhist circuit    | Development of Junagadh- Gir Somnath- Bharuch- Kutch- Bhavnagar-                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |   29.28 |   12.89 |

|    |                              | Rajkot- Mehsana                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |       |       |
|----|------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|
| 59 | Puducherry Heritage Circuit  | Development of Heritage Circuit in Puducherry                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | 66.35 | 33.17 |
| 60 | Puducherry Spiritual Circuit | Development of Puducherry - Thirukanch- Karaikal- Yanam                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | 40.68 | 30.94 |
| 61 | Rajasthan Heritage Circuit   | Development of Rajsamand (Kumbhalgarh Fort)- Jaipur (Nahargarh Fort)- Alwar (BalaQuila)- Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore Fort and Khandar Fort)- Jhalawar (Gagron Fort)- Chittorgarh (Chittorgarh Fort) Jaisalmer (JaisalmerFort) Hanumangarh (Kalibangan, Bhatner Fort and Gogamedi)- Jalore (Jalore Fort)- Udaipur (Pratap Gaurav Kendra)- Dholpur (Bagh-i-Nilofar and Purani Chawni)- Nagaur(Meera Bai Smarak) | 90.92 | 49.8  |
| 62 | Telangana Heritage Circuit   | Development of Heritage Circuit: Qutub Shahi Heritage Park- Paigah Tombs- Hayat Bakshi Mosque- Raymond's Tomb                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | 99.42 | 49.71 |
| 63 | Bihar Spiritual Circuit      | Development of Mandar Hill & Ang Pradesh                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | 53.49 | 24.28 |
| 64 | Madhya                       | Development of                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | 99.62 | 79.7  |

|                  | Pradesh Eco Circuit                            | Gandhisagar Dam- Mandleshwar Dam- Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi Dam- Bheda Ghat- Bansagar Dam- Ken River                                                           |        |        |
|------------------|------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|--------|
| 65.              | Uttar Pradesh Ramayana Circuit                 | Development of Ayodhya                                                                                                                                                                  | 133.31 |  99.21 |
| 66.              | Andhra Pradesh Buddhist Circuit                | Development of: Shalihundam- Thotlakonda- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda- Amravati- Anupu                                                                                                      |  52.34 |  26.17 |
| Total of 2017-18 | Total of 2017-18                               | Total of 2017-18                                                                                                                                                                        | 809.41 | 476.79 |
| 67.              | Maharashtra Spiritual Circuit                  | Development of Waki- Adasa- Dhapewada- Paradsingha- Chota Taj Bagh- Telankhandi- Girad                                                                                                  |  54.01 |   0    |
| 68.              | Development of Wayside Amenities (Sub- Scheme) | Development of Wayside Amenities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar at Varanasi- Gaya; Lucknow- Ayodhya- Lucknow; Gorakhpur- Kushinagar; Kushinagar-Gaya- Kushinaga in collaboration with MoRTH |  17.93 |   5.38 |
| 69.              | Uttar Pradesh Spiritual Circuit                | Development of Jewar-Dadri- Sikandrabad-Noida- Khurja-Banda                                                                                                                             |  14.52 |   0    |
| 70.              | Jharkhand Eco Circuit                          | Development of Dalma- Chandil- Getalsud- Betla national park-                                                                                                                           |  52.72 |   0    |

|    |                              | Mirchaiya- Netarhat                                                                                                                                                 |       |    |
|----|------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|----|
| 71 | Tripura North East circuit   | Development of Surma Cherra- Unakoti- Jampui Hills- Gunabati- Bhunaneshwari- Matabari- Neermahal- Boxanagar- Chotta khola- Pilak- Avangchaarra                      | 65    |  0 |
| 72 | Punjab Heritage Circuit      | Development of Anandpur Sahib - Fatehgarh Sahib - Chamkaur Sahib - Ferozpur - Amritsar - Khatkar Kalan - Kalanour - Patiala                                         | 99.95 |  0 |
| 73 | Kerala Rural Circuit         | Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project                                                                                                               | 80.37 |  0 |
| 74 | Kerala Spiritual Circuit     | Development Sivagiri Sree Narayana Guru Ashram- Arruvipuram- Kunnumpara Sree Subrahmania- Chembazhanthi Sree Narayana Gurukulam                                     | 69.47 |  0 |
| 75 | Kerala Spiritual Circuit     | Development of Kasaragod, Wayanad, Kannur, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Mallapuram, Thrichur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Allaphuza, Pathananamithitta, Kollam, Trivandrum | 85.23 |  0 |
| 76 | Meghalaya North East Circuit | Development of West Khasi Hills (Nongkhlaw- Krem Tirot - Khudoi & Kohmang Falls - Khri River-                                                                       | 84.97 |  0 |

|     |                                 | Mawthadraishan, Shillong), Jaintia Hills (Krang Suri Falls- Shyrmang- Iooksi), Garo Hills (Nokrek Reserve, Katta Beel, Siju Caves)   |         |         |
|-----|---------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------|
| 77. | Uttar Pradesh Spiritual Circuit | Development of Gorakhnath Temple(Gorakhpur), Devipattan Temple (Balrampur) and Vatvashni Temple (Domariyagunj)                       |   21.16 |    0    |
|     |                                 | Total of 2018-19                                                                                                                     |  645.33 |    5.38 |
|     |                                 | Grand Total                                                                                                                          | 6035.7  | 3676.14 |

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