Lok Sabha Question No. 155 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-21
Subject: Promotion of Tourism in Nashik under SDS
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.155

## ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN NASHIK UNDER SDS

## 155.  SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government recognizes Nashik's cultural and spiritual significance and plans to develop a comprehensive cultural tourism  under  the  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme  (SDS)  for  places  of importance in and around Nashik and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the funds likely to be allocated for the development of infrastructure, tourist facilities and amenities at these sites to enhance visitor experience and promote tourism;
- (c) whether the Government  has conducted any  assessment to evaluate  the  potential  of  Nashik  as  a  major  cultural  tourism destination and if so, the details and outcomes of such assessments;
- (d) the  details  of  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to involve  local  stakeholders  and  communities  in  promoting  and managing  this cultural circuit to ensure sustainable tourism development and preservation of Nashik's heritage; and
- (e) the  expected  timeline  for  launching  and  completing  this  cultural circuit project?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM         (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a)  to  (e):  Development  and  promotion of tourist destinations including assessment  to  evaluate  its  potential  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)'  is  complementing the efforts  of  tourism  infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations. The details of the projects sanctioned under above mentioned schemes in the State of Maharashtra including Nashik is annexed. In the year 2024-25, the Ministry of Tourism issued operational guidelines  for  'Special  Assistance  to  States  for  Capital  Investment  Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale'(SASCI) scheme with the objective to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the  country,  branding  and  marketing  them  at  global  scale.  Under  the said  scheme,  Government  of  India  has  sanctioned  40  projects  in  the country for Rs.3295.76 Crore including the project 'Development of RAM -KAL PATH' in Nashik, Maharashtra for ₹99.14 Crore. The projects under SASCI  scheme  have  been  identified  based  on  the  project  proposals submitted by the concerned State Governments, its examination on the prescribed parameters and as per the institutional framework detailed in the scheme guidelines. As per the contours of the scheme, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the  projects  is  to  be  formulated  by  the  concerned  State  Government after  analysing  all  the  relevant  factors  including  management  and operation  plans.  Further,  the  States  are  also  required  to  undertake consultations with various stakeholders and local community representatives  while  preparing  the  DPRs.  As  per  the  sanction  order issued in respect of SASCI scheme, the sanctioned projects are to be developed  and  completed  within  maximum  of  2  years  period  whereas Government  of  India  will  release  funds  under  this  scheme  up  to  31 st March, 2026.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.155 ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025 REGARDING PROMOTION OF  TOURISM  IN  NASHIK  UNDER  SDS  RAISED  BY  SHRI  RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE

## (I)  Detail  of  projects  sanctioned  under  identified  thematic  circuits  of Swadesh Darshan scheme in the state of Maharashtra

|   S. No. | State/UT    | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                   |   Sanctioned Cost (in ₹ crore) |
|----------|-------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|
|        1 | Maharashtra | Coastal Curcuit 2015-16   | Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit - Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek), Mitbhav |                          19.06 |
|        2 | Maharashtra | Spiritual Circuit 2018-19 | Development of Waki- Adasa-Dhapewada- Paradsingha-Telankhandi- Girad                                  |                          45.47 |

## (II)  List  of  projects  sanctioned under PRASHAD scheme in the state of Maharashtra:-

|   S. No | State/UT    | Project Name                         | Sanction Year   |   Approved Cost (in ₹ crore) |
|---------|-------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------|------------------------------|
|       1 | Maharashtra | Development of Trimbakeshwar, Nashik | 2017-18         |                        45.41 |

## (iii) List of Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 in the State of Maharashtra

(Amount in Crore)

|   S. No | State/UT    | Project Name                               | Sanction Year   |   Sanctioned Cost (in ₹ crore) |
|---------|-------------|--------------------------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------------|
|       1 | Maharashtra | Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park- Phase 3 | 2023-24         |                          76.22 |

(iv) List of Projects sanctioned under CBDD, a sub scheme of SD 2.0 in the State of Maharashtra

(Amount in Crore)

|   S. No | State/UT    | Year of Sanction   | Name of Project                |   Sanctioned Cost (in ₹ crore) |
|---------|-------------|--------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
|       1 | Maharashtra | 2024-25            | Development of Ahmednagar Fort |                          24.99 |

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