Lok Sabha Question No. 20 (STARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: Promotion of Tourism at Riverfront Ghats
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Ms Iqra Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.*20 ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM AT RIVERFRONT GHATS

- *20 MS IQRA CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has schemes or policies aimed at promoting tourism  of  riverfront  ghats  across  the  country,  including  those  on significant rivers that hold cultural, religious or historical importance;
- (b) whether the Government  plans to allocate any funds for the development of such ghats and areas in and around the river and for setting up additional infrastructure such as roads, accommodation or public amenities and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there exists a scheme for the construction and maintenance of  ghats  along  the  Yamuna  River  near  Kairana  to  promote  festivals and religious tourism and the timeline for the same; and
- (d) the  manner  in  which  the  Government  ensures  the  development  of these ghats to effectively capitalise on the region's strategic location at  the  junction  of  Haryana,  Uttar  Pradesh,  and  Rajasthan  to  boost tourism?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM         (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

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

******

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*20 ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024 REGARDING PROMOTION OF TOURISM AT RIVERFRONT GHATS RAISED BY MS IQRA CHOUDHARY

(a) to (d): The Ministry of Tourism through its multiple initiatives promotes various  tourism  destinations  and  products  of  the  country  including  river fronts,  ghats  etc.    across  the  country  which  hold  cultural,  religious  or historical  importance.  Such  promotions  are  undertaken  through  different marketing  initiatives  undertaken  on  various  platforms,  events,  websites, social  media  promotions, publicity  material  etc.  Ministry  of  Tourism  also provides financial assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations for organizing  fairs  and  festivals  and  events  which  have  the  potential  for promoting tourism, including religious tourism, at various locations including ghats and, riverfronts.

In  addition,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  through  its  ongoing  schemes  of Swadesh Darshan, ' 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 to SGs/UTs/Central Agencies for tourism infrastructure development including development of facilities at river fronts, ghats etc.

Though  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  does  not  have  any  specific  scheme  or policy  dedicated  solely  to  the  construction  and  maintenance  of  ghats across  the  country  including  the  States  of  Haryana,  Uttar  Pradesh  and Rajasthan, it encourages State Governments/UT Administrations to improve its tourism facilities, undertake operation and maintenance of the created  assets  and  to  market  its  destinations  and  products  in  domestic and international markets.

*******