Lok Sabha Question No. 141 (STARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: Development and Renovation of Old Tourist Spots in West Bengal
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Mondal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.*141

## ANSWERED ON 31.07.2023

## DEVELOPMENT AND RENOVATION OF OLD TOURIST SPOTS IN WEST BENGAL

- *141. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  roadmap  to  implement further development and renovation of old tourism spots in the State of West Bengal at present or in coming future; (b) whether  the  Government  has  organized  any  Committee  or survey  group  to  explore  more  tourism  spots  in  India  for  its developmental  purpose  other  than  'Belur  Math'  specially  in Purba Bardhaman in current year; if  so,  the  details  thereof along with the present status of old
- (c) tourism spots; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM                        (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA 31.07.2023 REGARDING  DEVELOPMENT  AND  RENOVATION  OF  OLD  TOURIST

STARRED QUESTION NO.*141 ANSWERED ON SPOTS IN WEST BENGAL

(a) to (d): Identification and development of tourist places/spots is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations.

Ministry of Tourism receives proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies for financial assistance for tourism projects which is a continuous process. The proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribed guidelines  and  financial  assistance  is  extended  for  such  projects subject to fulfilment of the stipulated conditions, operational viability and availability of funds.

The  Ministry  of  Tou rism  under  the  Schemes  of  'Swadesh Darshan', 'National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentat ion 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  tourismrelated infrastructure and facilities at various tourism destinations in the country including West Bengal.

Ministry of Tourism under its PRASHAD Scheme has sa nctioned a project ' Development of Belur Math ' for an amount of Rs.30.03 Crore during 2015-16 in West Bengal.

The details of projects sanctioned and funds allocated under the Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD and Assistance to Central Agencies  Schemes  in  the  State  of  West  Bengal  are  given  at Annexure.

The Ministry of Tourism has not constituted any Committee or survey  group to explore more  tourism  spots  in India for its developmental purpose. However, the Ministry of Tourism constituted  the  National  Tourism  Advisory  Council  (NTAC)  on  21 st June 2023 with a tenure of 3 years from the date of the constitution. The Council is an advisor y body which acts as a 'Think Tank' of the Ministry and advises the Ministry on various policy matters relating to tourism. Ministries of Government of India, Experts in the field of Travel  and  Tourism  and  Travel  and  Tourism  Industry  Associations are its members. In addition to the above, the Ministry of Tourism also  seeks  suggestions/inputs  and  holds  consultations/meetings with Central Ministries/States/Stakeholders from time to time for the development and promotion of tourism in the country.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*141 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2023 REGARDING  DEVELOPMENT  AND  RENOVATION  OF  OLD  TOURIST SPOTS IN WEST BENGAL

Swadesh Darshan Scheme (Rs. in Crore)

|   Sl. No. | State       | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                              |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released |
|-----------|-------------|---------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|
|         1 | West Bengal | Coastal Circuit 2015-16   | Development of Beach Circuit: Udaipur- Digha- Shankarpur- Tajpur- Mandarmani- Fraserganj- Bakkhlai- Henry Island |               67.99 |             65.07 |

PRASHAD Scheme (Rs. in Crore)

|   Sl. No. | State       | Project Name              | Sanction Year   |   Approved Cost |   Amount Released |
|-----------|-------------|---------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-------------------|
|         1 | West Bengal | Development of Belur Math | 2016-17         |           30.03 |             23.39 |

Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development Scheme

(Rs. in Crore)

| Sl. No.      | State        | Name of Projects                               | Central Agency   | Amount Sanctioned   | Amount Released   |
|--------------|--------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------|---------------------|-------------------|
| Year 2017-18 | Year 2017-18 | Year 2017-18                                   | Year 2017-18     | Year 2017-18        | Year 2017-18      |
| 1.           | West Bengal  | Joint Development of Rampurhat Railway Station | M/o Railways     | 3.48                | 1.74              |

| 2.           | West Bengal   | Joint Development                                   | M/o Railways   | 3.87         | 1.93         |
|--------------|---------------|-----------------------------------------------------|----------------|--------------|--------------|
| Year 2019-20 | Year 2019-20  | Year 2019-20                                        | Year 2019-20   | Year 2019-20 | Year 2019-20 |
| 3.           | West Bengal   | Joint Development of New Jalpaiguri Railway Station | M/o Railways   | 4.55         | 2.27         |

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