Lok Sabha Question No. 1026 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: Nrusinghanath and Harishankar Temples as Tourist Destination
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Purohit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1026 ANSWERED ON 10.02.2025

## NRUSINGHANATH AND HARISHANKAR TEMPLES AS TOURIST

## DESTINATION

## 1026. SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  declaring  major  tourist destinations in Odisha, including Nrusinghanath Temple and Harishankar Temple, as national tourism spots;
- (b) whether any steps have been taken or proposals submitted by the Government  to promote  these temples under national tourism schemes, considering their historical, cultural and religious significance, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  plans  to  allocate  special  funds  or  launch development  projects  to  enhance  infrastructure,  connectivity  and tourism facilities at Nrusinghanath Temple and Harishankar Temple as well as Odisha and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM            (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (c): The  development  and  promotion  of  tourism  destinations  and products  are  primarily  undertaken  by  the  concerned  State  Government (SG)/Union Territory Administration (UT).

The Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual,  Heritage  Augmentation  Drive  (PRASHAD)', 'Swadesh Darshan (SD)', and 'Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development' complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development in the country by extending financial assistance  to  the  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  including  the State of Odisha.

The Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing endeavour promotes various tourism destinations and products of the country including Odisha through promotional activities, events, website, social media promotions etc. No  proposal is under consideration of the Ministry of Tourism  for development of infrastructure around the sites Nrusinghanath Temple and Harishankar Temple  in Odisha. 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. Details of the projects sanctioned in Odisha under the different schemes of the Ministry is given in the annexure.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1026 ANSWERED ON 10.02.2025 REGARDING NRUSINGHANATH AND HARISHANKAR TEMPLES AS TOURIST DESTINATION RAISED BY SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT

Details of project sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme:-

| Name of scheme                     | Year of Sanction   |   Sanctioned Amount in ₹ Cr ore |
|------------------------------------|--------------------|---------------------------------|
| Infrastructure Development at Puri | 2014-15            |                              50 |

Details of project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme:-

| State/ UT   | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                   |   Amount Sanctioned in ₹ Cr ore |
|-------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| Odisha      | Coastal Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada and Tampara |                           70.82 |

## Details of destination identified under SD 2.0 in the state of Odisha:-

| Koraput, Debrigarh   | Koraput, Debrigarh   |
|----------------------|----------------------|
| Odisha               | Odisha               |

Details of project under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI Scheme):-

| State   | Name of the Project     |   Sanctioned Cost (₹ Cr ore) |
|---------|-------------------------|------------------------------|
| Odisha  | Development of Satkosia |                        99.99 |
| Odisha  | Development of Hirakund |                        99.9  |

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