Lok Sabha Question No. 98 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Development of Valmiki Ashram in Bihar
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Sunil Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. †*98 ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

DEVELOPMENT OF VALMIKI ASHRAM IN BIHAR

†*98 .  SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Valmiki  Nagar  in  the  State  of  Bihar  has  got  immense potential for tourism; (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  develop  Valmiki  Ashram considering its significant tourist attractions; and (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

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

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO. †*98 ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT

OF VALMIKI ASHRAM IN BIHAR RAISED BY SHRI SUNIL KUMAR. (a) to (c): Development of tourist place and their infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of the respective State Governments/UT Administrations. Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations /Central Agencies for financial assistance for tourism projects 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 and availability of funds. Though  Ministry  of  Tourism  recognizes  the  tourism  potential  of  Valmiki Nagar  in  Bihar,  however,  no  such  proposal  is  under  consideration  as  no proposal  in  the  prescribed  format  has  been  received  from  the  State Government. Further, the Ministry of Tourism through its ongoing schemes of 'Swadesh Darshan' and 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation  Drive (PRASHAD)' and 'Assistance to  Central  Agencies  for Tourism Infrastructure Development' complements the efforts of the State Governments (SGs)/UT Administrations (UTs) by extending financial assistance  on  receipt  of  proposal  from  SGs/UTs/Central  Agencies  for tourism  infrastructure  development  at  various  tourism  destinations  in  the country including the State of Bihar. The  Government  of  India  under  the  guidelines  for  Special  Assistance  to States  for  Capital  Investment  (SASCI)  for  Development  of  Iconic  Tourist Centres to Global Scale has approved 2 projects namely 'Development of

Matsyagandha Lake, Saharsa' and 'Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub' in the State of Bihar at a cost of Rs.147.12 Crore. The  details  of  projects  sanctioned  in  the  State  of  Bihar  under  different schemes of the Ministry is given at Annexure.

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO. †*98 ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF VALMIKI ASHRAM IN BIHAR RAISED BY SHRI SUNIL KUMAR.

The details of the projects sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in Bihar.

(Rs. In Crore)

| State   |   Sr. No. | Name of the Project                                 | Sanction Year   |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released |
|---------|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------|---------------------|-------------------|
|         |         1 | Development at Patna Sahib                          | 2015-16         |               29.62 |             29.62 |
| Bihar   |         2 | Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad temple | 2014-15         |                3.63 |              3.63 |

The details of the project sanctioned under SWADESH DARSHAN Scheme in Bihar.

(Rs. In Crore)

| Circuit Name               | Name of the Project                                                            |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released |
|----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|
| Tirthankar Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Vaishali- Arrah- Masad- Patna- Rajgir- Pawapuri- Champapuri     |               33.96 |             30.04 |
| Spiritual Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj - Dharmshala- Deoghar                |               44.76 |             42.52 |
| Buddhist Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Buddhist circuit- Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya |               95.18 |             95.18 |
| Rural Circuit 2017-18      | Development of Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- Turkaulia                               |               44.27 |             40.31 |
| Spiritual Circuit 2017-18  | Development of Mandar Hill & Ang Pradesh                                       |               44.55 |             42.32 |

The details  of  Projects  sanctioned  under 'Assistance to  Central  Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development' Scheme in Bihar.

(Rs. In Crore)

| Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                                         |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released |
|-----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|
| 2013-14         | Joint Development of Gaya Railway Station                                                                                   |                5.18 |             4.14  |
| 2023-24         | 3D Mapping with Aqua Screen Projection and Sound Show at Buxar, Bihar and Dynamic Lighting & Motif at Ram Rekha Ghat, Bihar |                5.99 |             0.599 |

Details  of  Projects  sanctioned  under  Special  Assistance  to  States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI) in Bihar

|   Sr. No. | Name of the Project                       |   Cost (in ₹ Crore) |
|-----------|-------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|         1 | Development of Matsyagandha Lake, Saharsa |               97.61 |
|         2 | Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub   |               49.51 |

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