Lok Sabha Question No. 2504 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Tourist Inflow in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi, Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Shri Ravindra Dattaram Waikar, Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil, Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2504 ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## TOURIST INFLOW IN MAHARASHTRA AND MADHYA PRADESH

## 2504.  SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE:

SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE:

SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:

SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has assessed the current status of tourist inflow, both domestic and international and the revenue generated from tourism in Maharashtra, including key cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik, and coastal areas like Konkan and in Madhya Pradesh including Balaghat Lok Sabha Constituency;
- the  details  of  the  steps  taken/being  taken  during  the  last  three years to develop and maintain tourist infrastructure in Maharashtra and  Madhya  Pradesh  including  connectivity,  accommodations, safety measures, and facilities at popular destinations like Ajanta-
- (b) Ellora, Shirdi and Lonavala;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  introduced  or  plans  to  introduce initiatives to promote lesser-known destinations, rural tourism and eco-tourism  in  Maharashtra  and  Madhya  Pradesh  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (d) the  details  of  the  measures  undertaken  to  promote  Maharashtra and  Madhya  Pradesh's  cultural,  historical  and  heritage  sites  at national and international forums to attract global tourists; and
- (e) whether the  Government has formulated a long-term strategy to ensure sustainable tourism in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to generate  employment  opportunities  and  preserve  local  culture, environment and heritage?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM         (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a): The details of Domestic and foreign Tourist visits (DTVs & FTVs) in

## Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh during 2024 are given below:

| State          | DTVs         | FTVs      |
|----------------|--------------|-----------|
| Maharashtra*   | 18,93,71,541 | 37,05,170 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 13,31,76,410 | 1,67,535  |

Source: State Tourism Department

*: Estimated data

The State-wise revenue generated from tourism is not available with the Ministry of Tourism.

(b) & (c): 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, 'Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual,  Heritage  Augmentation  Drive (PRASHAD)' and 'Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development' schemes (ACA) is complementing the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations. In addition, Government of India  under  its  initiative  for  'Special  Assistance  to  States  for  Capital Investment (S ASCI)' has also provided financial assistance to the States for development of tourism projects.

Multiple projects approved under above mentioned schemes include components  pertaining  to  safety  and  security,  last  mile  connectivity, enhancement  of  tourism  experience  at  various  destinations  including those in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

In addition, the Ministry has sanctioned projects in several States/UTs that focus on lesser-known destinations, rural tourism areas, and ecotourism. Notably, 'Eco -Circuit' has been identified as one of the thematic circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

Details of projects sanctioned under the SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD, SASCI  and  ACA  schemes  in  Maharashtra  and  Madhya  Pradesh  are Annexed.

(d): The  development  and  promotion  of  tourism destinations and products, including those of cultural, historical and heritage significance in  Maharashtra  and  Madhya  Pradesh,  are  primarily  undertaken  by  the respective State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. However, the Ministry of Tourism, as part of its continuous efforts, promotes tourism destinations  and  products  across  the  country -including  the  cultural, historical  and  heritage  sites  of  Maharashtra  and  Madhya  Pradesh -through its various schemes, initiatives, promotional campaigns, participation in national and international events, as well as through its official website, social media platforms and other outreach activities.

(e): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  formulated  a  National  Strategy  for Sustainable  Tourism  and  the  following  strategic  pillars  have  been identified for development of sustainable tourism:

- i. Promoting Environmental Sustainability
- ii. Protecting Biodiversity
- iii.  Promoting Economic Sustainability
- iv.  Promoting Socio-Cultural Sustainability
- v. Scheme for Certification of Sustainable Tourism
- vi.  IEC and Capacity Building Governance

The  Ministry  has  also  launched  the  Travel  for  LiFE  initiative  to promote sustainable tourism across the country, including in Maharashtra and  Madhya  Pradesh,  and  to  encourage  tourists  as  well  as  tourism businesses  to  adopt  sustainable  practices  to  preserve  local  culture, environment and heritage.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (b) & (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.2504  ANSWERED  ON  15.12.2025  REGARDING  TOURIST INFLOW  IN  MAHARASHTRA  AND  MADHYA  PRADESH  RAISED  BY  SHRI VISHALDADA  PRAKASHBAPU  PATIL,  DR.  SHRIKANT  EKNATH  SHINDE, SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE, SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE, SMT. BHARTI PARDHI AND SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR

The list of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme in the State of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra: -

|   S. No. | State          | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                                                          |   Amount Sanctioned (₹ Crore) |
|----------|----------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|
|        1 | Madhya Pradesh | Wildlife Circuit 2015-16  | Development of Wildlife Circuit at Panna- Mukundpur- Sanjay- Dubri-Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Mukki- Pench                                          |                         92.1  |
|        2 | Madhya Pradesh | Buddhist Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Sanchi-Satna- Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar                                                                                              |                         74.02 |
|        3 | Madhya Pradesh | Heritage Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Chanderi - Bhimbetka - Mandu                                                                   |                         89.82 |
|        4 | Madhya Pradesh | Eco Circuit 2017-18       | Development of Gandhisagar Dam- Mandleshwar Dam- Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi Dam- Bheda Ghat- Bansagar Dam- Ken River |                         93.76 |
|        5 | Maharashtra    | Coastal Circuit 2015-16   | Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit - Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek), Mitbhav                                        |                         19.06 |
|        6 | Maharashtra    | Spiritual Circuit 2018-19 | Development of Waki- Adasa- Dhapewada- Paradsingha- Telankhandi- Girad                                                                       |                         45.47 |

The list of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme in the State of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra: -

|   S. No. | State          | Year of Sanction   | Destination            | Name of the Experience                     |   Sanctioned Cost (₹ Crore) |
|----------|----------------|--------------------|------------------------|--------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|        1 | Madhya Pradesh | 2023-24            | Gwalior                | Phoolbagh Experience Zone                  |                       16.74 |
|        2 | Madhya Pradesh | 2023-24            | Chitrakoot             | Spiritual experience at Chitrakoot         |                       27.21 |
|        3 | Madhya Pradesh | 2024-25            | Pitambara Peeth, Datia | Development of Pitambara Peeth Datia       |                       44.24 |
|        4 | Maharashtra    | 2023-24            | Pune                   | Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park- Phase 3 |                       76.22 |

Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based  Destination Development  (CBDD)  Scheme  in  the  State  of  Madhya  Pradesh  and Maharashtra:

|   S. No. | State          | Year of Sanction   | Name of the Project            | Category           |   Sanctioned Cost (₹ Crore) |
|----------|----------------|--------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------|-----------------------------|
|        1 | Madhya Pradesh | 2024-25            | Medieval Splendor 2.0, Orchha  | Spiritual Tourism  |                          25 |
|        2 | Maharashtra    | 2024-25            | Development of Ahmednagar Fort | Culture & Heritage |                          25 |

Details  of  Projects  sanctioned  under  Special  Assistance  to  States  for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme in the State of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra:

|   S. No. | State          | Year of Sanction   | Name of the Project                                |   Sanctioned Cost (₹ Crore) | Amount Released (₹ Crore)   |
|----------|----------------|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
|        1 | Madhya Pradesh | 2024-25            | Orchha A Medieval Splendour in Orchha              |                       99.92 |                             |
|        2 | Madhya Pradesh | 2024-25            | International Convention Centre for MICE in Bhopal |                       99.38 | 131.53                      |

|   3. | Maharashtra   | 2024-25   | INS-Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial Reef, and submarine Tourism in Sindhudurg   |   46.91 |   96.39 |
|------|---------------|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------|
|    4 | Maharashtra   | 2024-25   | Development of RAM- KAL PATH in Nashik                                               |   99.14 |   96.39 |

## The list of the projects sanctioned under PRASHAD scheme in the State of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra: -

|   S. No. | State          | Project Name                         | Sanction Year   |   Sanction Amount (₹ Crore) |   Amount Released (₹ Crore) |
|----------|----------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
|        1 | Madhya Pradesh | Development of Amarkantak            | 2020-21         |                       49.99 |                       42.55 |
|        2 | Madhya Pradesh | Development of Omkareshwar           | 2017-18         |                       43.93 |                       43.93 |
|        3 | Maharashtra    | Development of Trimbakeshwar, Nashik | 2017-18         |                       45.41 |                       38.44 |

## The list of the projects sanctioned under Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA) scheme in the State of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra:

|   S. No. | State          | Project Name                                                                         | Sanction Year   |   Sanction Amount (₹ Crore) |   Amount Released (₹ Crore) |
|----------|----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
|        1 | Madhya Pradesh | Tourism Infrastructure at Beltaal Lake, Damoh, Madhya Pradesh by ITDC.               | 2020-21         |                       23.15 |                       10.08 |
|        2 | Maharashtra    | Development of Kanoji Angre Lighthouse as a tourist Destination                      | 2016-17         |                       15    |                       15    |
|        3 | Maharashtra    | Up-gradation/ modernization to International Cruise terminal at Indira Dock, Mumbai. | 2017-18         |                       12.5  |                       12.5  |
|        4 | Maharashtra    | Upgradation/Moderniz ation to International                                          | 2021-22         |                       37.5  |                       30    |

|    |             | Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock, Mumbai Port Trust   |         |      |      |
|----|-------------|-----------------------------------------------------|---------|------|------|
|  5 | Maharashtra | Nanded Railway Station                              | 2016-17 | 5.18 | 2.59 |
|  6 | Maharashtra | Aurangabad Railway Station                          | 2017-18 | 5.71 | 2.85 |

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