Lok Sabha Question No. 2460 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Inter-Cultural Tourism between NER and Southern India
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Durai Vaiko

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2460 ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

## INTER-CULTURAL TOURISM BETWEEN NER AND SOUTHERN INDIA

## 2460. SHRI DURAI VAIKO:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is taking steps to strengthen cultural exchange and tourism connectivity between the North Eastern Region (NER) and Southern India, especially Tamil Nadu;
- (b) whether the Government  has  launched  any specific schemes  or initiatives to promote inter-cultural tourism circuits, experiential travel, or student/youth exchange programmes between the said regions;
- (c) whether  Tiruchirappalli,  being  a  key  spiritual,  cultural  and  heritage centre,  is  being  included  or  considered  under  such  inter-regional tourism promotion plans;
- (d) whether the Government has engaged with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Indian Railways to ensure better air and rail connectivity between North Eastern capitals and major South Indian cities including Trichy; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  of  projects  implemented  or  proposed  and  the  future roadmap  for  building  greater  cultural  integration  and  tourism-based livelihood opportunities through such linkages?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM               (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a)  to  (e):  Yes,  Ministry  of  Civil  Aviation  (MoCA)  launched  the  Regional Connectivity Scheme Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) on 21.10.2016 to enhance regional air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports in the country and make air travel affordable to the masses.

Under  this  scheme,  with  a  view  to  strengthen  tourism  connectivity,  53 Tourism RCS routes across the country including North Eastern Region (NER) and Southern India are operationalised under Tourism  - RCS (TRCS). These routes were funded with 100% Viability Gap Funding (VGF) reimbursement by Ministry  of  Tourism  providing  direct  air  connectivity  to  tourist  destinations and cultural sites in the country. Though there is no direct air connectivity under RCS Udan between airports at North-Eastern region to Southern Indian airports, indirect connectivity is available through connecting flights.

A total of 90 routes have been operationalised in the North Eastern Region (NER)  under  the  Regional  Connectivity  Scheme  (RCS-UDAN),  connecting  10 airports and 02 heliports across the NER states.

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has informed that total 17 trips of Bharat Gaurav Trains on theme based circuit were operated in Financial year 2024-25 in which 9,246 tourists visited Tamil Nadu. Out of these  17  tours,  Tiruchirapalli  (Trichy)  was  included  in  04  trips  and  1,923 tourists visited Tiruchirapalli (Trichy).

IRCTC has organized different  tours  connecting  Southern  Part  of  India  and North East destinations as a part of Yuva Sangam Tours which is an initiative by Government  of  India  under  'Ek  Bharat  Shresth  Bharat'  scheme  to strengthen people to people connect especially between youth belonging to various  States/UTs.  In  the  Yuva  Sangam  Tours,  institutes  from  the  NorthEastern  region  and  Tamilnadu  have  been  paired  together  for  the  cultural exchange.

IRCTC also conducts Domestic Air packages providing tourism connectivity between  the  North  Eastern  Region  and  South  India.  Following  table  give details in this regard:

|   S. No. | Package Name                    | Source   | Destination                                       | Duration          | Departure   |
|----------|---------------------------------|----------|---------------------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------|
|        1 | KERALA LUXE ESCAPE EX- BAGDOGRA | Bagdogra | Munnar / Thekkady / Alleppey / Trivandrum / Kochi | 6 Nights / 7 Days | 11.10.2025  |
|        2 | KERALA LUXE ESCAPE EX- GUWAHATI | Guwahati | Munnar / Thekkady / Alleppey / Trivandrum / Kochi | 6 Nights / 7 Days | 11.10.2025  |

North East India offers diverse tourism-based livelihood opportunities rooted in  cultural  experiences  such  as  community-based  tourism,  eco-friendly homestays, cultural performances, nature-based activities, culinary tourism, and  sustainable  farming.  Similarly,  South  India  presents  potential  through tribal arts, rural experiences, and cultural exchange programs. Such cultural integration and tourism-linked livelihoods  helps a sustainable and inclusive  future  roadmap  by  preserving  heritage  and  empowering  local communities across regions.

************