Lok Sabha Question No. 3674 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Tourism Development in Chitrakoot
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Smt. Krishna Devi Shivshankar Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3674

## ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025

## TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN CHITRAKOOT

†3674.   SMT. KRISHNA DEVI SHIVSHANKAR PATEL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  targets  of  the  current  financial  year's  action  plan  for  tourism development in Chitrakoot, a prominent pilgrimage site in the Banda Lok Sabha Constituency;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  key  mythological  and historical  sites  such  as  Kalinjar  Fort,  Bhuragadh  Fort,  Madfa  Fort and Jama Masjid in Banda district under the Archaeological Society of India (ASI) losing their existence due to lack of maintenance;
- (c) if so, the details of the steps taken/being taken for their preservation and conservation;
- (d) whether  Banda  and  Chitrakoot  districts  are  the  least  developed districts from tourism point of view; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  of  the  major  tourism  development  schemes proposed for Banda and Chitrakoot districts in near future?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM            (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and tourism products  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)' provides financial assistance to the State Governments / Union Territory Administrations for development of tourism infrastructure of the country. The  financial assistance under these schemes  is  provided  in  consultation  with  states,  subject  to  receipt  of project  proposals  from  the  State  Governments/UT  Administrations,  its assessment, availability of funds etc. The  Ministry  of  Tourism  as  part  of  its  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme sanctioned a project 'Development of Chitrakoot and Shringverpur' in 201617 under Ramayana Circuit for Rs.69.45 Crore in Uttar Pradesh. Recognizing  the  importance  of  Chitrakoot,  the  Ministry  in  2023-24  has sanctioned  the  project  'Spiritual  Experience  at  Chitrakoot'  for  Rs.27.21 Crore in Madhya Pradesh under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme. Further, State Government of Uttar Pradesh has informed that it has implemented multiple development works in Chitrakoot and Banda and has established 'UP Chitrakoot Dham Teerth Vikas Parishad' for consolidated development of Chitrakoot. Further,  Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) informed that it takes up  conservation  and  maintenance  work  of  25  protected  monuments  and sites  in  Chitrakoot  including  provision  of  amenities  like  drinking  water, toilet blocks, pathways and landscaping etc. Conservation and maintenance  of  monuments  and  archaeological  sites  is  a  continuous process and is taken up as per the need of monuments and availability of resources.

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