Lok Sabha Question No. 576 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Set up of Special Tourism Zones in Rajasthan
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Devji Mansingram Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†576

## ANSWERED ON 24.07.2023

## SET UP OF SPECIAL TOURISM ZONES IN RAJASTHAN

†576. SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of  rural tourism projects launched in the State of Rajasthan including Jalore Sirohi district;
- the details of the amount spent by the Government on these
- (b) projects;
- (c)
- whether all these projects have been successful;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  special  tourism zones in Rajasthan especially in the deserts of Rajasthan;
- (e) if so, the details therof; and
- (f) the names of places identified for this purpose?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (f): The Ministry of Tourism launched its  'Swadesh Darshan Scheme' in 2014 -15 with the objective of integrated development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits  in  the  country  and  Rural  Tourism  is one of the identified themes under the scheme for development. The objective of the scheme included creation of tourism infrastructure at the selected sites/destinations and to enhance visitor experience/satisfaction.

The Ministry of Tourism under Swadesh Darshan scheme has not sanctioned any project under Rural Circuit theme in Rajasthan. However, Rural Circuit theme projects have been sanctioned in the States of Bihar and Kerala, the details of which are at annexure-I.

The details of projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme in Rajasthan in different themes is placed at annexure-II.

The  Ministry  of Tourism  has  not  identified  any  place  in Rajasthan to set up special tourism zone. However, the Ministry has revamped the  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  as  Swadesh  Darshan  2.0 with  the  objective  to  develop  sustainable  and  responsible  tourism destinations and has identified 'Bundi (Keshoraipatan)' and 'Jodhpur' for development in the State of Rajasthan.

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ANNEXURE-I

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (f)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. †576 ANSWERED  ON  24.07.2023  REGARDING  SET  UP  OF SPECIAL TOURISM ZONES IN RAJASTHAN

LIST  OF  SANCTIONED  PROJECTS  UNDER  RURAL  CIRCUIT  THEME  OF SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME

(Amount in ₹ crore)

|   S. No. | Name of State   | Year of sanct ion   | Project Name                                                         |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released * |   Utilized Amount (as per UC submitted by State Government) | Completion timeline   |
|----------|-----------------|---------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|
|        1 | Bihar           | (2017 -18)          | Develo pment of Gandhi Circuit: Bhitiha rwa- Chandr ahia- Turkaul ia |               44.27 |               39.96 |                                                       35.72 | Physically complete   |
|        2 | Kerala          | (2018 -19)          | Develop ment of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project               |               57.35 |               30.98 |                                                       20.74 | Dec 23                |

*includes  amount  released  to  Central  Nodal  Agency  (CNA)  as  per  new financial procedure.

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## ANNEXURE-II

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †576 ANSWERED ON 24.07.2023 REGARDING SET UP OF SPECIAL TOURISM ZONES IN RAJASTHAN

## LIST OF PROJECTS SANCTIONED UNDER SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME IN RAJASTHAN

(Amount in ₹ crore)

| Theme / Year of Sanction   | Name of Project                                                                                               |   Sanctioned amount |   Amount released* |   Amount utilized (as per UC submitted by State Government) | Physical completion Status   |
|----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|
| Desert Circuit 2015-16     | Development of Sambhar Lake Town and Other Destinations                                                       |               50.01 |              50.01 |                                                       55.89 | Complete                     |
| Krishna Circuit 2016-17    | Development of Govind Dev ji temple (Jaipur), Khatu Shyam Ji (Sikar) and Nathdwara (Rajsamand)                |               75.8  |              72.01 |                                                       67.3  | 99%                          |
| Spiritual Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Spiritual Circuit - 'Development of Churu (Salasar Balaji)-Jaipur (Shri Samodke Balaji, Ghatke |               87.05 |              72.23 |                                                       75.03 | Complete                     |

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|                          | Bandheke Balaji)- Viratnagar (Bijak, Jainnasiya, Ambika Temple)- Bharatpur (Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) - Mehndipur Balaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji)   |       |       |       |          |
|--------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|-------|----------|
| Heritage Circuit 2017-18 | Development of Heritage Circuit Development of Rajsamand (Kumbhalgarh Fort) - Jaipur (Facade Illumination in Jaipur and Nahargarh                             | 70.61 | 60.91 | 67.04 | Complete |

| (Pratap Gaurav Kendra) - Dholpur (Bagh-I- Nilofor and Purani Chawani) - Nagaur (Meera Bai Smarak, Merta) - Tonk (Sunehri Kothi)   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

*includes amount released to Central Nodal Agency (CNA) as per new financial procedure.

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