Lok Sabha Question No. 651 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-06
Subject: Promotion of Border Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Ravindra Kushawaha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 651 ANSWERED ON 06.02.2023

## PROMOTION OF BORDER TOURISM

## † 651. SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the scheme being formulated by the Government to promote border tourism;
- (b) the number of borders which have been developed as tourist places in the country during the last three years; and
- (c) the  schemes  to  connect  the  villages  in  the  border  areas  with tourism?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (c): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  promotes  tourism  in  the  country, including  in  the  border  areas,  through  its  various  Schemes.  It  provides financial  assistance  for  development  of  tourism  infrastructure  in  the country,  including  in  the  border  States  under  its  major  Schemes  of Swadesh  Darshan  and  National  Mission  on  Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) to State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations/Central Agencies. The financial assistance is given on the basis of submission of Detailed Project Reports, availability of  funds  and  adherence  to  Scheme  Guidelines.   The  Swadesh  Darshan scheme has  now  been  revamped  as Swadesh  Darshan  2.0(SD2.0)  for development  of  sustainable  and  responsible  tourist destinations.  The details of the projects sanctioned by Ministry of Tourism, under the above Schemes, in the border States, are given in the Annexure.

Further, Ministry also promotes India in a holistic manner through various initiatives under its Schemes of 'Domestic Promotion & Publicity including Hospitality' (DPPH) and 'Overseas Promotion & Publicity (OPP )', including in the border States.  As part of its on-going activities; it regularly releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the international markets,  under  the  'Incredible  India'  brand -line,  to  promote  various tourism destinations and products of India with the objective of increasing foreign  tourist  arrivals  to  the  Country.    The  Ministry  of  Tourism  also regularly promotes various tourism destinations and products through its website and social media promotions.

Some  of  the  major  initiatives  and  efforts  of  Ministry  of  Tourism  for promotion of tourism in the border States are given below:-

- i. An amount of Rs. 1312 lakh was sanctioned to Border Security Force (BSF) for the tourism related Infrastructural Development at Joint Check Post (JCP), Attari, Punjab in 2017-18.
- ii. Road connectivity and way side amenities: -

Ministry  of  Tourism  has  taken  up  the  matter  with  the  Ministry  of  Road Transport  &  Highways  for  improving  Road  connectivity  and  wayside amenities  to  the  tourist  destinations  including  in  the  border  areas  for promotion  of  Tourism.  For  promotion  of  Border  Tourism,  Ministry  of Tourism has taken up the matter with the Border Road Organization (BRO) for  improving  road  connectivity  and  wayside  amenities  to  the  following three (03) border areas:

- i. Pangong Lake, Ladakh
- ii. Kargil, Ladakh
- iii. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Further,  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs,  Government  of  India,  has  identified  17 villages in 4 States, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and Union Territory of Ladakh, on the northern border, to transform these villages as 'Vibrant Villages', wherein developm ent of tourism  infrastructure  and  activities,  have  been  identified  as  one  of  the key interventions.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 651 ANSWERED ON 06.02.2023 FOR PROMOTION OF BORDER TOURISM

Details  of  the  Projects  sanctioned  by  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  in  the  Border States under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

(Rs. in crore)

|   Sl No | State/UT          | Circuit            | Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                            |   Amount Sanctio ned |
|---------|-------------------|--------------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|
|       1 | Arunachal Pradesh | North-East Circuit | 2014-15         | Development of Mega Circuit at Bhalukpong- Bomdila and Tawang                                  |                49.77 |
|       2 | Arunachal Pradesh | North East Circuit | 2015-16         | Development of Nafra- Seppa- Pappu, Pasa, Pakke Valleys- Sangdupota- New Sagalee- Ziro- Yomcha |                96.72 |
|       3 | Assam             | Wildlife Circuit   | 2015-16         | Development of Manas - Probitora - Nameri - Kaziranga - Dibru - Saikhowa                       |                94.68 |
|       4 | Assam             | Heritage Circuit   | 2016-17         | Development of Tezpur - Majuli - Sibsagar                                                      |                90.98 |
|       5 | Bihar             | Tirthankar circuit | 2016-17         | Development of Vaishali- Arrah- Masad- Patna- Rajgir- Pawapuri- Champapuri                     |                37.19 |
|       6 | Bihar             | Spiritual circuit  | 2016-17         | Integrated Development of Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj - Dharmshala- Deoghar                     |                44.76 |
|       7 | Bihar             | Buddhist Circuit   | 2016-17         | Development of Buddhist circuit- Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya                 |                98.73 |
|       8 | Bihar             | Rural Circuit      | 2017-18         | Development of Gandhi Circuit: Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- Turkaulia                               |                44.65 |
|       9 | Bihar             | Spiritual Circuit  | 2017-18         | Development of Mandar Hill & Ang Pradesh                                                       |                47.53 |
|      10 | Gujarat           | Heritage Circuit   | 2016-17         | Development of Ahmedabad- Rajkot- Porbandar - Bardoli- Dandi                                   |                58.42 |
|      11 | Gujarat           | Heritage Circuit   | 2016-17         | Development of Vadnagar- Modhera                                                               |                91.11 |
|      12 | Gujarat           | Buddhist           | 2017-18         | Development of Junagadh- Gir                                                                   |                26.68 |

|    |                  | circuit            |         | Somnath- Bharuch-Kutch- Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana                                                                                              |       |
|----|------------------|--------------------|---------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
| 13 | Himachal Pradesh | Himalayan Circuit  | 2016-17 | Integrated Development of Himalayan Circuit in Himachal Pradesh                                                                                 | 80.69 |
| 14 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit  | 2016-17 | Integrated Development of Jammu-Srinagar-Pehalgam- Bhagwati Nagar-Anantnag- Salamabad Uri-Kargil-Leh                                            | 77.33 |
| 15 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit  | 2016-17 | Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Jammu- Rajouri-Shopian-Pulwama.                                                                 | 84.46 |
| 16 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit  | 2016-17 | Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities - Construction of Assets in lieu of those Destroyed in Floods in 2014 under PM Development Package | 90.43 |
| 17 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit  | 2016-17 | Integrated Development of Tourist facilities at Mantalai and Sudhmahadev                                                                        | 90.85 |
| 18 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit  | 2016-17 | Integrated Development of Tourist facilities at Anantnag- Kishwar-Pahalgam-Daksum- Ranjit Sagar Dam                                             | 87.44 |
| 19 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit  | 2016-17 | Development of Tourist Facilities at Gulmarg- Baramulla- Kupwara- Kargil - Leh                                                                  | 91.84 |
| 20 | Manipur          | North-East Circuit | 2015-16 | Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal- Khongjom                                                                                     | 72.23 |
| 21 | Manipur          | Spiritual Circuit  | 2016-17 | Development of Shri Govindajee Temple, Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple - Shri Gopinath Temple - Shri Bungshibodon Temple - Shri Kaina Temple       | 53.8  |
| 22 | Meghalaya        | North East Circuit | 2016-17 | Development of Umium (Lake View), U Lum Sohpetbneng- Mawdiangdiang - Orchid Lake Resort                                                         | 99.13 |
| 23 | Meghalaya        | North East Circuit | 2018-19 | Development of West Khasi Hills (Nongkhlaw- KremTirot - Khudoi&Kohmang Falls - Khri                                                             | 84.97 |

|    |           |                    |         | River- Mawthadraishan, Shillong), Jaintia Hills (Krang Suri Falls- Shyrmang- Iooksi), Garo Hills (Nokrek Reserve, Katta Beel, Siju Caves)                                                                                                                                                |       |
|----|-----------|--------------------|---------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
| 24 | Mizoram   | North East Circuit | 2015-16 | Integrated Development of Thenzawl & South Zote,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | 92.26 |
| 25 | Mizoram   | Eco Circuit        | 2016-17 | District Serchhip and Reiek. Development of Eco- Adventure Circuit Aizawl - Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Durtlang - Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng -Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang                                                                             | 66.37 |
| 26 | Nagaland  | Tribal Circuit     | 2015-16 | Development of Tribal Circuit Peren- Kohima- Wokha                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | 97.36 |
| 27 | Nagaland  | Tribal circuit     | 2016-17 | Development of Mokokchung - Tuensang-Mon                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | 98.14 |
| 28 | Punjab    | Heritage Circuit   | 2018-19 | Development of Anandpur Sahib - Fatehgarh Sahib - Chamkaur Sahib - Ferozpur - Amritsar - Khatkar Kalan - Kalanour - Patiala                                                                                                                                                              | 91.55 |
| 29 | Rajasthan | Desert Circuit     | 2015-16 | Development of Sambhar Lake Town and Other Destinations                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 50.01 |
| 30 | Rajasthan | Krishna Circuit    | 2016-17 | Integrated Development of Govind Dev ji temple (Jaipur), Khatu Shyam Ji (Sikar) and Nathdwara (Rajsamand)                                                                                                                                                                                | 75.8  |
| 31 | Rajasthan | Spiritual Circuit  | 2016-17 | Development of Churu (Salasar Balaji) - Jaipur (Shri Samode Balaji, Ghat ke Balaji, Bandheke Balaji)- Alwar (PandupoleHanumanji, Bharathari)- Viratnagar (Bijak, Jainnasiya, Ambika Temple)- Bharatpur (Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) - Mehandipur Balaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji) | 93.9  |
| 32 | Rajasthan | Heritage Circuit   | 2017-18 | Development of Rajsamand (Kumbhalgarh Fort)- Jaipur                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | 72.49 |

|    |               |                    |         | (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 PuraniChawni) - Nagaur(Meera Bai Smarak)   |       |
|----|---------------|--------------------|---------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
| 33 | Sikkim        | North East Circuit | 2015-16 | 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 |
| 34 | Sikkim        | North East Circuit | 2016-17 | Development of Tourist Circuit Linking Singtam - Maka- Temi-BermoikTokel- Phongia- Namchi - Jorthang- Okharey- Sombaria-Daramdin- Jorethang- Melli (Exit)                                                                                                                                                                                                      | 95.32 |
| 35 | Tripura       | North East Circuit | 2015-16 | Development of North East Circuit: Agartala - Sipahijala - Melaghar - Udaipur - Amarpur- Tirthamukh- Mandirghat - Dumboor- NarikelKunja- Gandachara - Ambassa                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 82.85 |
| 36 | Tripura       | North East circuit | 2018-19 | Development of Surma Cherra- Unakoti- Jampui Hills- Gunabati-Bhunaneshwari- Matabari- Neermahal- Boxanagar- Chottakhola- Pilak- Avangchaarra                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | 65    |
| 37 | Uttar Pradesh | Buddhist Circuit   | 2016-17 | Development of Srawasti, Kushinagar, & Kapilwastu                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | 99.97 |

| 38.   | Uttar Pradesh                  | Ramayana Circuit   | 2016-17                                                             | Development of Chitrakoot and Shringverpur                                                                                                                                    |   69.45 |
|-------|--------------------------------|--------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
| 39.   | Uttar Pradesh Circuit          | Spiritual 2016-17  | Development Shahjahanpur-Basti- Aligharh-Kasgunj-Sarosi- Kaushambi- | of Ahar- Pratapgarh-Unnao- Mirzapur-                                                                                                                                          |   71.91 |
| 40.   | Uttar Pradesh Circuit          | Spiritual          | 2016-17                                                             | Development of Bijnor- Meerut- Kanpur- Kanpur Dehat- Banda- Ghazipur- Salempur- Ghosi- Balia- Ambedkar Nagar- Aligarh- Fatehpur- Deoria- Mahoba- Sonbhadra- Chandauli-        |   67.51 |
| 41.   | Uttar Pradesh                  | Heritage Circuit   | 2016-17                                                             | Mishrikh- Bhadohi Development of Kalinjar Fort (Banda)- MarharDham (Sant Kabir Nagar)- ChauriChaura, Shaheed Sthal (Fatehpur)- Mavahar Sthal (Ghosi)- Shaheed Smarak (Meerut) |   33.97 |
| 42.   | Uttar Pradesh Ramayana Circuit |                    | 2017-18                                                             | Development of Ayodhya                                                                                                                                                        |  127.21 |
| 43.   | Uttar Pradesh                  | Spiritual Circuit  | 2018-19                                                             | Development of Jewar-Dadri- Sikandrabad-Noida-Khurja- Banda                                                                                                                   |   12.03 |
| 44.   | Uttar Pradesh                  | Spiritual Circuit  | 2018-19                                                             | Development of Gorakhnath Temple (Gorakhpur), Devipattan Temple (Balrampur) and Vatvashni Temple (Domariyagunj)                                                               |   15.76 |
|       | 45.Uttarakhand                 | Eco Circuit        | 2015-16                                                             | Integrated Development of Eco-Tourism, Adventure Sports, Associated Tourism related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings                               |   69.17 |
|       | 46.Uttarakhand                 | Heritage circuit   | 2016-17                                                             | Development of Heritage Circuit in Kumaon Region - Katarmal - Jogeshwar-                                                                                                      |   76.32 |

|    |                         |                   |         | Baijnath-Devidhura                                                                                                                                                                    |       |
|----|-------------------------|-------------------|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
| 47 | West Bengal             | Coastal Circuit   | 2015-16 | Development of Beach Circuit: Udaipur- Digha- Shankarpur- Tajpur- Mandarmani- Fraserganj- Bakkhlai- Henry Island                                                                      | 67.99 |
| 48 | Uttar Pradesh and Bihar | Wayside Amenities | 2018-19 | Development of Wayside Amenities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar at Varanasi-Gaya; Lucknow-Ayodhya- Lucknow; Gorakhpur-Kushinagar; Kushinagar-Gaya- Kushinagar in collaboration with MoRTH | 15.07 |

Details of the Projects sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism in the Border States under the PRASHAD Scheme:

(Rs. in crore)

| Sl. No.   | State/UTs            | Project Nos                       | Name of the Project                                                              | Year of Sanction   |   Amount Sanctioned |
|-----------|----------------------|-----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
| 1         | ARUNACHAL PRADESH 1. | Development of Kund, Lohit Distt. | Parasuram                                                                        | 2020-21            |               37.88 |
| 2         | ASSAM                | 2.                                | Development of Kamakhya Temple and Pilgrimage Destination in and around Guwahati | 2015-16            |               29.8  |
| 3         | BIHAR                | 3.                                | Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad temple, Gaya, Bihar                 | 2014-15            |                4.27 |
|           |                      | 4.                                | Development at Patna Sahib                                                       | 2015-16            |               41.54 |
|           |                      | 5.                                | Development of Dwarka                                                            | 2016-17            |               13.08 |
|           |                      | 6.                                | Pilgrimage Amenities at Somnath                                                  | 2016-17            |               45.36 |
| 4         | GUJARAT              | 7.                                | Development of Promenade at Somnath under PRASHAD Scheme                         | 2018-19            |               47.12 |
|           |                      | 8.                                | Development of Pilgrim Plaza with Queue Management Complex at Somnath Gujarat    | 2021-22            |               49.97 |
| 5         | JAMMU & KASHMIR      | 9.                                | Development at Hazratbal,                                                        | 2016-17            |               40.46 |
| 6         | MEGHALAYA            | 10.                               | Development of Pilgrimage Facilitation in Meghalaya                              | 2020-21            |               29.32 |
| 7         | NAGALAND             | 11.                               | Development of Pilgrimage                                                        | 2018-19            |               25.26 |

|    |               |    | Infrastructure in Nagaland                                                                                               |         |       |
|----|---------------|----|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|-------|
|  8 | PUNJAB        | 12 | Development of KarunaSagar Valmiki Sthal at Amritsar                                                                     | 2015-16 |  6.4  |
|  8 | PUNJAB        | 13 | Development of Chamkaur Sahib at Rupar, Punjab under PRASHAD Scheme                                                      | 2021-22 | 31.57 |
|  9 | RAJASTHAN     | 14 | Integrated Development of Pushkar / Ajmer                                                                                | 2015-16 | 32.64 |
| 10 | SIKKIM        | 15 | Development of Pilgrimage Facilitation at Four Patron Saints, Yuksom                                                     | 2020-21 | 33.32 |
| 11 | TRIPURA       | 16 | Development of Tripura Sundari Temple, Udaipur                                                                           | 2020-21 | 37.84 |
| 12 | UTTARAKHAND   | 17 | Integrated Development of Kedarnath                                                                                      | 2015-16 | 34.77 |
| 12 | UTTARAKHAND   | 18 | Development of Infrastructure for Pilgrimage Facilitation in Badrinath Ji Dham (Uttarakhand) under PRASHAD Scheme        | 2018-19 | 39.24 |
| 12 | UTTARAKHAND   | 19 | Augmentation of Pilgrimage Infrastructure Facilities and Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham in Uttarakhand under PRASHAD Scheme | 2021-22 | 54.36 |
| 13 | UTTAR PRADESH | 20 | Development of Mathura- Vrindavan as Mega Tourist Circuit (Ph-II)                                                        | 2014-15 | 14.93 |
| 13 | UTTAR PRADESH | 21 | Construction of Tourist Facilitation Centre at Vrindavan, Distt. Mathura                                                 | 2014-15 |  9.36 |
| 13 | UTTAR PRADESH | 22 | Development of Varanasi - Phase - I                                                                                      | 2015-16 | 20.4  |
| 13 | UTTAR PRADESH | 23 | Cruise Tourism in River Ganga, Varanasi                                                                                  | 2017-18 | 10.72 |
| 13 | UTTAR PRADESH | 24 | Development of Varanasi Under Prashad Scheme - Phase II                                                                  | 2017-18 | 44.6  |
| 13 | UTTAR PRADESH | 25 | Development of Infrastructure facilities at Govardhan, Mathura, UP                                                       | 2018-19 | 39.74 |
| 14 | WEST BENGAL   | 26 | Development of Belur                                                                                                     | 2016-17 | 30.03 |

List of Projects sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism to Central Agencies under Assistance to Central Agencies Scheme

(Rs. in Lakh)

| Year     | State                                                                                                                                              | Name of the Projects                                                                                                                  | Agencies   |   Sanction Amount |
|----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------|
| 2017- 18 | Punjab                                                                                                                                             | Project for Infrastructural Development at JCP Attari                                                                                 | BSF        |           1312    |
| 2019- 20 | Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi & Allahabad-I, Allahabad-II), Bihar (Bhagalpur), West Bengal (Kolkata) & Assam (Neamati, Pandu, Jogighopa & Biswanathghat) | CFA for Development of Jetties at nine (09) main points of embarkation/disembarkation of River Cruise on National Water ways No. 1& 2 | IWAI       |           2803.05 |
| 2020- 21 | Mizoram                                                                                                                                            | Development of Convention Centre and associated Infrastructure at Aizawl, Mizoram                                                     | WAPCOS     |           3994.75 |

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