Lok Sabha Question No. 1147 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-29
Subject: Guest Houses for Foreigners
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Dileshwar Kamait

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.+1147

## ANSWERED ON 29.07.2024

## GUEST HOUSES FOR FOREIGNERS

## +1147 SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  places  identified  by  the  Government  for  tourism  in Bihar along with the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government extends financial assistance to the Government of Bihar for the renovation of tourist places;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  establish  Government  guest houses in the country including Bihar for the convenience of foreign tourists at all tourist places; and
- (d) the State-wise names and details of the tourist places in the country where  the  Government  has  established  such  Government  guest houses?

## ANSWER

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

- (a)  to  (b):  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  through  its  ongoing  central    sector scheme    of    'Swadesh  Darshan'  complements    the    efforts  of    tourism infrastructure  development    by  extending    financial    assistance  to  the State  Governments/  UT  Administrations.  Under  the  Swadesh  Darshan scheme, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 05 project for Rs.262.72 Crore in the State of Bihar, the details of which is annexed.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  recently  revamped  the  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme  as  Swadesh  Darshan  2.0  (SD2.0)  with  the  objective  to  develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations, following a destination & tourism-centric approach. In consultation with the States/UTs and in line with  the  scheme  guidelines,  the  Ministry  has  accordingly  identified  57 destinations in the country for development under SD 2.0 including 'Gaya' & 'Nalanda'  in  Bihar.    In  addition,  the  Ministry  has  identified  'Bhagalpur' and 'Saran District (Sonepur Fair)' under Culture & Heritage Destinations category in Bihar under 'Challenge Based  Destination Development' (CBDD), a sub-scheme under Swadesh Darshan 2.0.

- (c): No.
- (d): Does not arise.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  +1147  ANSWERED  ON  29.07.2024  GUEST  HOUSES  FOR FOREIGNERS RAISED BY SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT

DETAIL OF PROJECTS  SANCTIONED  UNDER  IDENTIFIED  THEMATIC CIRCUITS OF SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME IN THE STATE OF BIHAR.

(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 |
| TOTAL    | TOTAL       | TOTAL                      | TOTAL                                                                          |              262.72 |

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