Lok Sabha Question No. 3516 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Development of Tourism Circuit under SDS
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri G M Harish Balayogi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3516

## ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025

## DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM CIRCUIT UNDER SDS

## 3516. SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  tourism  circuit  comprising  Kakinada,  Hope  Island, Coringa  Wildlife  Sanctuary,  Passarlapudi,  Aduru,  S . Yanam  and Kotipally has been identified under the Swadesh Darshan scheme;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  projects  sanctioned  under  this  circuit, including  development  works  undertaken,  components  sanctioned, timelines, names of implementing agencies and current status of the work;
- (c) the  details  of  total  funds  allocated,  released  and  utilized  for  this project since inception, year -wise;
- (d) the  details  of  the  measures  undertaken  to  ensure  community participation, promote local handicrafts, culture and cuisine as part of the tourism development plan;
- (e) the  details  of  the  steps  taken  to  ensure  sustainable  tourism  and ecological safeguards, particularly in and around ecologically sensitive areas like Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary and Hope Island;
- (f) the  details  of  the  steps  taken / being  taken  to  support  capacity -building or employment generation programmes for local youth and tourism stakeholders in the region; and
- (g) whether  the  Government  plans  to  expand,  integrate  or  further promote this tourism circuit, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (g): The  project  titled ' Development  of  Kakinada -Hope  Island -Coringa  Wildlife  Sanctuary -Passarlapudi -Aduru -S . Yanam -Kotipally ' was  identified  and  sanctioned  under  the  Coastal  Circuit  theme  of  the

Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme  in  the  year  2014 -15  with  a  total  sanctioned amount  of  ₹67 . 83  crore . The  project  has  been  reported  as  physically completed, and the entire sanctioned amount has been released and fully utilized  by  Andhra  Pradesh  Tourism  Development  Corporation,  being Implementing Agency of the project .

The project comprised a comprehensive set of tourism infrastructure development  works  across  the  identified  locations  with  the  objective  of enhancing connectivity, visitor experience, and sustainable tourism potential . The  components  sanctioned  under  the  project,  inter  alia, included  construction  and  upgradation  of  approach  roads,  and  parking facilities; development of beachfront areas with essential amenities such as  landscaping,  pathways,  illumination,  and  gazebos;  establishment  of tourist facilitation infrastructure including Multi -Cuisine Food Courts with Souvenir Shop, waiting lounges, etc .

In  addition,  Ministry  of  Tourism  conducts  hospitality  and  tourism related short -term training courses under its ' Capacity Building for Service Providers ( CBSP )' scheme  through  Government  and  empanelled  private institutes catering to candidates from diverse group including youths and tourism  stakeholders  in  the  country . The  outcome  of  these  trainings includes  placements,  self -employment,  and  entrepreneurship,  in  addition to  many  trainees  opting  for  higher  studies  such  as  diploma  and  degree courses .

Ministry  of  Tourism  as  part  of  its  ongoing  endeavour,  promotes various  tourism  destinations  and  products  of  India  in  a  holistic  manner, through  various  initiatives  including  promotional  events,  assistance  to State  Governments  for  organising  fairs  and  festivals,  participation  in exhibitions, websites, social media, etc .

Ministry  of  Tourism  revamped  the  circuit-based  Swadesh  Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2 . 0 with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in the country through a destination & tourist -centric approach . Sanctioning of project is a continuous process. Currently,  no  proposal  for  expansion  and  re-integration  of  this  circuit  is under consideration in the Ministry of Tourism.

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