Lok Sabha Question No. 477 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Aims and Objectives of Rural Circuits
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Jual Oram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.477

## ANSWERED ON 24.07.2023

## AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF RURAL CIRCUITS

## 477.SHRI JUAL ORAM:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the aims and objectives of Rural Circuits proposed by Government to promote tourism in rural areas of the country;
- (b) the details of Rural Circuits identified in the particularly in the State of Odisha;
- country,
- (c) the projects identified under the above circuit in the State of Odisha  since implementation  of the scheme,  project-wise
- status and details thereof; and
- (d) the timeline for completion of projects along with the allocation  made during the last three financial years for rural circuits in the country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (d): 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 has not sanctioned any project under Rural  Circuit  of  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  in  the  State  of  Odisha. However, a project 'Development of Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada and Tampara' under coastal theme was sanctioned in Odisha for ₹70. 82

crore  in  201617  and  ₹ 67.28  crore  has  been  released.  The  State Government  has  submitted  Utilization  Certifica te  of  ₹63.25  crore. The project has registered a physical progress of 94.72%. The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned a total of 76 projects under Swadesh Darshan scheme including 02 projects under Rural circuit theme in the States of Bihar and Kerala. The details of these projects is annexed.

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ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.477  ANSWERED  ON  24.07.2023  REGARDING  AIMS  AND OBJECTIVES OF RURAL CIRCUITS LIST  OF  SANCTIONED  PROJECTS  UNDER  RURAL  CIRCUIT  THEME  OF SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME

(Amount in ₹ crore)

|   S. No. | Name of State   | Year of sanction   | Project Name                                                     |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released* |   Utilized Amount | Completion timeline   |
|----------|-----------------|--------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------|-------------------|-----------------------|
|        1 | Bihar           | (2017- 18)         | Development of Gandhi Circuit: Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- Turkaulia |               44.27 |              39.96 |             35.72 | Physically complete   |
|        2 | Kerala          | (2018- 19)         | Development 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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