Lok Sabha Question No. 1278 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Special Tourism Promotion Package for Amritsar
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Gurjeet Singh Aujla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1278

## ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025

## SPECIAL TOURISM PROMOTION PACKAGE FOR AMRITSAR

## 1278. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Amritsar  deserves  focused  attention  for  promotion  of tourism  as  it  represents  not  just  Punjab,  but  the  soul  of  India's spiritual and historic legacy;
- whether the Government proposes to launch any special tourism
- (b) promotion package for Amritsar, Punjab;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of the  concrete  steps  taken / being taken by the Government to boost infrastructure, safety and hospitality standards  and  include  it  in  major  domestic  and  international tourism circuits;
- (e) the details of the funds allocated and disbursed for development of heritage sites and to promote tourism; and
- (f) whether the Government has launched any awareness campaigns of the promotion on digital platforms to attract global tourists, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (f): Development  and  Promotion  of  tourist destinations  and tourism products  is primarily  undertaken  by  the  respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. However, the Ministry of  Tourism  through  its  central  sector  schemes  of  'Swadesh  Darshan (SD)',  Swadesh  Darshan  2.0  (SD2.0)',  'Challenge  Based  Destination Development (CBDD)' -a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan and 'Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual,  Heritage  Augmentation  Drive (PRASHAD)' complements the efforts of tourism infras tructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations; subject to availability of funds, adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by the State Government etc.

In  addition,  Government  of  India  under  its  initiative  for  'Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)' has also provided financial assistance to the States for development of tourism projects.

The details of the projects sanctioned in Amritsar is as follow:

1. Development  of  Karuna  Sagar  Valmiki  Sthal  at  Amritsar  in 2015-16.
2. Border Tourism Experience at Attari, Amritsar in 2023-24.

The details of the projects sanctioned along-with funds allocated and  released  under  Swadesh  Darshan,  SD2.0,  PRASHAD,  CBDD  and

SASCI scheme in the state of Punjab is Annexed.

The Government launched the Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS - UDAN) in October 2016 to enhance regional air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports in the country for  making  air  travel  affordable  to  the  people  of  India.  Under  this scheme, with a view to promote tourism, routes connecting Amritsar to Kolkata,  Jaipur  and  Patna  were  operationalised  under  Tourism -RCS (TRCS).  These  routes  were  funded  with  100%  Viability  Gap  Funding (VGF) reimbursement by Ministry of Tourism. The total VGF disbursed on these routes stands at Rs.47.09 crores.

Ministry  of  Tourism  under  its  voluntary  scheme  of  Classification classifies  hotels  and  resorts  under  the  star  rating  system.  Under  this system, hotels/resorts are given a rating, from One Star to Three Star, Four  and  Five  Star  with  or  without  alcohol,  Five  Star  Deluxe,  Heritage (Basic),  Heritage  (Classic),  Heritage  (Grand),  Legacy  Vintage  (Basic), Legacy Vintage (Classic), Legacy Vintage (Grand) and Apartment Hotels. Aside from the above, the Ministry also classifies/approves accommodation units viz Homestays/B&Bs, guesthouses, tented accommodations and tourism service providers viz Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Tourist Transport Operators.

The details of the funds allocated and disbursed by Archaeological Survey  of  India  for  conservation  and  restoration  of  monuments/sites under the jurisdiction of Chandigarh Circle during the last five financial years and current financial year are given as below:

(Amount in crores)

| Financial Year      | Allocation   | Expenditure   |
|---------------------|--------------|---------------|
| 2020 - 21           | 0 . 80       | 0 . 80        |
| 2021 - 22           | 1 . 50       | 1 . 50        |
| 2022 - 23           | 6 . 53       | 6 . 53        |
| 2023 - 24           | 11 . 00      | 11 . 00       |
| 2024 - 25           | 5 . 65       | 5 . 65        |
| 2025 - 26           | 4 . 00       | 3 . 27        |
| ( Upto 15.07.2025 ) |              |               |

Ministry of Tourism has launched its revamped version of Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) as a comprehensive resource for travellers  and  stakeholders  interested  in  exploring  the  country's  rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and diverse attractions. The IIDP uses an AI-powered tool that personalizes visitor experiences by offering real- time weather updates, city exploration, and essential travel services. Ministry  of  Tourism  promotes  all  tourist  destinations  including  Punjab through various mediums including the platform of IIDP. The portal has also partnered with several OTAs (Online Travel Agents) and  stakeholders  for  seamless  booking  of  flights,  hotels,  cabs,  and buses and tickets for ASI monuments. Digital  promotions  are  also  regularly  undertaken  through  the  Social Media platforms.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.1278  ANSWERED  ON  28.07.2025  REGARDING  SPECIAL TOURISM  PROMOTION  PACKAGE  FOR  AMRITSAR  RAISED  BY  SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA

List of projects sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme:-

(Rs. in Crores)

|   S. No. | State/UT   | Project Name                                          | Sanction Year   |   Sanction Amount |   Amount Released |
|----------|------------|-------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|-------------------|-------------------|
|        1 | Punjab     | Development of Karuna Sagar Valmiki Sthal at Amritsar | 2015-16         |              6.4  |              6.4  |
|        2 | Punjab     | Development of Chamkaur Sahib at Rupar, Punjab        | 2021-22         |             30.52 |             21.93 |

The List of the sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme:-

(Rs. in Crores)

|   S . No . | State / UT   | Circuit / Sanction Year    | Name of the Project                                                                                              |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released / Authorized |
|------------|--------------|----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------|
|          1 | Punjab       | Heritage Circuit 2018 - 19 | Development of Anandpur Sahib - Fatehgarh Sahib - Chamkaur Sahib - Ferozpur - Khatkar Kalan - Kalanour - Patiala |               85.32 |                          81.05 |

List of Sanctioned projects under Swadesh Darshan 2.0:-

(Rs. in Crores)

|   S No | State   | Year of Sanction   | Destination   | Name of the Experience                   |   Sanctioned Cost |   Amount Authorized |
|--------|---------|--------------------|---------------|------------------------------------------|-------------------|---------------------|
|      1 | Punjab  | 2023 - 24          | Kapurthala    | Eco Tourism experience at Kanjli wetland |             20.06 |                   0 |

| 2.   | Punjab   | 2023 - 24   | Amritsar   | Border   | 25.90   | 2.59   |
|------|----------|-------------|------------|----------|---------|--------|

List of sanctioned projects under Challenge Based Destination Development ( CBDD ) , a sub -scheme of Swadesh Darshan scheme

## (Rs. in Crores)

|   S No . | State/UT   | Year of Sanction   | Name of Project                                                                 |   Sanctioned Cost |   Amount Authorized |
|----------|------------|--------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|---------------------|
|        1 | Punjab     | 2024 - 25          | Cultural and Heritage Strech at Hussainiwala Border, Ferozepur                  |              25   |                2.5  |
|        2 | Punjab     | 2024 - 25          | Heritage street - A symbor of peace and Harmony at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar |              24.9 |                2.49 |

List  of  Projects  sanctioned under  the  Special  Assistance  to  States  for Capital  Investment  (SASCI  Scheme) -Development  of  Iconic  Tourist Centres to Global Scale

## (Rs. in Crores)

|   S . No . | State   | Year of Sanction   | Name of the Project                                                                                                   |   Sanctioned Cost |   Amount Released |
|------------|---------|--------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
|          1 | Punjab  | 2024 - 25          | Development of Heritage Street as a tribute to Shaheed - e - Azam, Sardar Bhaghat Singh at Khatkar Kalan in SBS Nagar |             53.45 |             35.27 |

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