Lok Sabha Question No. 3770 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-24
Subject: PRASAD Scheme in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Tangella Uday Srinivas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO .

## 3770 ANSWERED ON 24.03.2025

## PRASAD SCHEME IN ANDHRA PRADESH

## 3770. SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state :

- ( a ) the  details  of  projects  approved  under  the  PRASAD  (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) Scheme in Andhra Pradesh since its inception;
- (b) the status of the Annavaram Temple project under PRASAD, including its approval date, allocated budget and current stage of implementation;
- (c) the expected timeline for the completion of ongoing PRASAD projects in Andhra Pradesh and the reasons for delays;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  new  proposals  from  the State Government of Andhra Pradesh for inclusion under PRASAD and if so, the status of their consideration; and
- (e) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  timely  execution  and effective monitoring of PRASAD projects in the said State?

## ANSWER

(

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT )

- (a): The Ministry of Tourism under the 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage  Augmentation  Drive'  (PRASHAD)  provides  financial  assistance  to  the State  Governments  and  Union  Territory  Administrations  for  development  of tourism  infrastructure  at  identified  pilgrimage  destinations.  The  projects  under the  scheme  are  identified  for  development  in  consultation  with  the  State Governments/UT Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 4 projects  namely  Development  of  Amaravati  Town,  Guntur  District  as  a Tourist Destination, Development of Srisailam Temple, Sri Varaha Lakshmi

Narsimha  Swami  Vari  Devasthanam  at  Simhachalam  in  Vishakhapatnam Temple and Development of Pilgrimage Tourism Infrastructure in Annavaram  Temple  Town  and  has  also  identified Vedagiri  Lakshmi Narasimha  Swamy  Temple,  Nellore  District  for  development  under  the PRASHAD Scheme. (b): The  project  ' Development  of  Pilgrimage  Tourism  Infrastructure  in Annavaram  Temple  Town'  was  sanctioned  on  02.12.2024  at  a  cost  of Rs.25.32 Crore. It has been informed by the State Government of Andhra Pradesh that the letter of acceptance has been issued on 12.03.2025 for the  execution of work. (c): The projects sanctioned under the said scheme are implemented by the State Government concerned. Development and completion of projects under  PRASHAD  scheme  depend  on  various  factors  like  successful tendering process, capacity of state implementing agency, timely project planning  and  designing,  securing  the  necessary  construction  clearances etc. (d): Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations for financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process. The proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribed guidelines and financial assistance is extended for such projects subject to fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.

(e): Although  the  projects  are  implemented  by  the  respective  State Governments/UT Administrations, the Ministry of Tourism regularly monitors their progress and actively encourages the concerned authorities to complete them within the stipulated timeframe. In order to monitor and expedite  progress  of  the  sanctioned  projects  and  to  guide  the  State Governments/UT  Administrations,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  holds  regular review meetings at different levels.

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