Lok Sabha Question No. 2747 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Development of Mithila Region
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Gopal Jee Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.+2747

## ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## DEVELOPMENT OF MITHILA REGION

## +2747. SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- whether it is a fact that there are dozens of historical and religious places across the Mithila region including Darbhanga, that need to be conserved, promoted and have the potential to be developed as
- (a) tourist places;
- whether  the  Government  plans  to  develop  major  historical  and
- (b) religious places in Mithila as 'Mithila Circuit'; and
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM         (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (c):   Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including historical and religious tourism is undertaken by the respective  State  Government/Union  Territory  (UT)  Administration.  The Ministry  complements  the  efforts  of  States/UTs  by  developing  and promoting various tourism products of the country, including historical and  religious  tourism  in  Mithila  region  through  various  schemes  and initiatives.

As  conveyed  by  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India,  ASI  Patna  Circle has one number of Centrally  protected  monument  namely  Raja  Bali  ka Garh,  Balirajgarh,  District -Madhubani  under  its  jurisdiction  which  is conserved and maintained by Archaeological survey of India (ASI) as per the requirement and availability of the fund. Besides, two state protected  monuments  namely -Ahilya  Sthan,  District,  Darbhanga  and Hareshwarnath  Temple,  Dwarka,  District -Madhubani  are  also  taken care of by State Archaeology Department, Government of Bihar.

Ministry of Tourism under the schemes of 'Swadesh Darshan', 'National Mission  on  Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  &  Spiritual  Heritage  Augmentation Drive  (PRASHAD)'  and  'Assistance  to  Central  Agencies  for  Tourism Infrastructure Development'  provides financial assistance to State Governments/Union  Territory  Administrations/Central  Agencies  for  the development  of  tourism  related  infrastructure  and  facilities  at  various tourism destinations in the country including in Bihar and Jharkhand. Government of India  during  the  current  financial  i.e.  year  2024-25  has sanctioned  40  projects  across  the  country  including  in  Bihar  and Jharkhand  under  'Special  Assistance  to  States  for  Capital  Investment (SASCI) -Development  of  Iconic  Tourist  Centres  to  Global  Scale' Scheme.  A project Development of Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa has been sanctioned for an amount of Rs.97.61 Crore. Details  of  projects  sanctioned  under  the  aforementioned  schemes  in Bihar and Jharkhand is Annexed. Currently there is no proposal to develop major historical and religious places  in  Mithila  as  'Mithila  Circuit ' .  However,  proposals  are  received from States/UTs from time to time for seeking financial assistance under the  various  schemes  of  the  Ministry  of  Tourism.  These  proposals  are extended for projects subject to fulfilment of the stipulated provisions and availability of funds.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.+2747 ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT  OF  MITHILA  REGION  RAISED  BY  SHRI  GOPAL  JEE THAKUR

(i). List of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme in the States of Bihar and Jharkhand is as under:

## Amount in (₹ Crore)

|   S. No. | State/ UT   | Circuit / Sanction Year    | Name of the Project                                                                 |   Amount Sanctioned |
|----------|-------------|----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|        1 | Bihar       | Tirthankar Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Vaishali- Arrah- Masad- Patna- Rajgir- Pawapuri- Champapuri          |               33.96 |
|        2 | Bihar       | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj - Dharmshala- Deoghar                     |               44.76 |
|        3 | Bihar       | Buddhist Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Buddhist circuit- Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya      |               95.18 |
|        4 | Bihar       | Rural Circuit 2017-18      | Development of Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- Turkaulia                                    |               44.27 |
|        5 | Bihar       | Spiritual Circuit 2017-18  | Development of Mandar Hill & Ang Pradesh                                            |               44.55 |
|        6 | Jharkhand   | Eco Circuit 2018-19        | Development of Eco Tourism circuit: Dalma- Betla National park- Mirchaiya- Netarhat |               30.44 |

## (ii). List of Projects sanctioned in Bihar and Jharkhand under PRASHAD scheme of the Ministry of Tourism is as under:

Amount in (₹ Crore)

|   S. | State/UT   | Project Name                                        | Sanction Approved   |   Sanction Approved |
|------|------------|-----------------------------------------------------|---------------------|---------------------|
|    1 | Bihar      | Development at Patna Sahib                          | 2015-16             |               29.62 |
|    2 | Bihar      | Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad temple | 2014-15             |                3.63 |
|    3 | Jharkhand  | Development of Baba Baidya Nath Dham                | 2018-19             |               36.79 |

## (iii) List of Projects Sanctioned in Bihar under the Scheme Assistance to Central Agencies

|   Sr. No. | Name of Project                                                                                                             | State   | Agency   | Sanction Date   |   Amount sanctioned (in Lakh) |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|----------|-----------------|-------------------------------|
|         1 | 3D Mapping with Aqua Screen Projection and Sound Show at Buxar, Bihar and Dynamic Lighting & Motif at Ram Rekha Ghat, Bihar | Bihar   | BECIL    | 10-06-2024      |                        599.96 |

## (iv)  List  of  Projects  sanctioned  in  Bihar  and  Jharkhand  under  Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI Scheme) is as under:

Amount in (₹ Crore)

|   S. No. | State     | Name of the Project                                  |   Sanctioned Cost |
|----------|-----------|------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
|        1 | Bihar     | Development of Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa          |             97.61 |
|        2 | Bihar     | Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub in Karamchat |             49.51 |
|        3 | Jharkhand | Eco-Tourism Development of Tilaiyya in Koderma       |             34.87 |

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