Lok Sabha Question No. 3436 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Tourism Projects in Kerala
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3436 ANSWERED ON 16.12.2024

## TOURISM PROJECTS IN KERALA

## 3436. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of tourism projects allotted to the State of Kerala by the  Government  during  the  last  five  years,  projects  and  locationswise;
- (b) the  details  of  current  status  of  each  of  these  projects  along  with stages of development and any delays or challenges faced;
- (c) the  total  funds  allocated  for  tourism  development  in  the  State  of Kerala  and  the  manner  in  which  these  funds  have  been  utilized  so far;
- (d) whether the Government has any plans for new tourism infrastructure projects, such as resorts, eco-tourism facilities, heritage sites in the said State and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the details of the steps being taken by the Government to promote the  said  State  as  a  top  tourist  destination,  particularly  focusing  on sustainable and responsible tourism;
- (f) the manner in which the Government is collaborating with the Kerala State  Government  and  local  stakeholders  to  ensure  the  successful implementation of these projects; and
- (g) the  status  of  upcoming  tourism  projects  planned  for  Kerala,  along with the timelines for their commencement and completion?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (g):   Development and promotion  of tourism in the country is primarily  undertaken  by  the  concerned  State  Governments  (SGs)/Union Territory Administrations (UTs).

The Ministry of Tourism complements the efforts of SGs/UTs by providing financial assistance under its 'Swadesh Darshan' and 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual,  Heritage  Augmentation  Drive  (PRASHAD)'  for development of tourism amenities on receipt of project proposals in line with the  relevant  scheme guidelines, availability of  funds under relevant schemes  etc.  Under  the  Swadesh  Darshan  and  PRASHAD  schemes,  the Ministry sanctioned 5 projects and 1 project respectively in the State of Kerala.

The  Ministry  has  now  revamped  the ' Swadesh  Darshan ' scheme  as ' Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) ' ,  with  the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in the country and has sanctioned 1 Project in the State of Kerala under SD2.0. Ministry of Tourism under its another  central  sector  scheme  of ' Assistance  to  Central  Agencies ' has also sanctioned 6 Projects in the State of Kerala.

On  receipt  of  the  project  proposals  from  the  State  Governments  under 'Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2024 -25 (SASCI) ' ,  Government of India has recently sanctioned 40 projects in the country including 2 projects in Kerala.

The funds in respect of the sanctioned projects are released/ authorized in instalments  as  per  scheme  guidelines  and  the  same  is  utilized  by  the concerned  implementing  agency.  In  order  to  mitigate  the  issues  and expedite implementation of the projects, Ministry of Tourism from time to time reviews progress of sanction projects with the State Governments/UTs/Implementing Agencies.

Ministry of Tourism holistically promotes various tourist destinations and products of the country including Kerala for sustainable and responsible development  of  tourism.  These  promotional  activities  are  undertaken through  various  endeavours  of  the  Ministry  which  include  promotion  in domestic and international markets, social media handles, website, events etc.

The  details  of  the  projects  sanctioned  in  Swadesh  Darshan,  PRASHAD, SD2.0, Assistance to Central Agencies and SASCI along with Status in the State of Kerala is annexed.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.3436  ANSWERED  ON  16.12.2024  REGARDING  TOURISM PROJECTS IN KERALA RAISED BY SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH

The details of Tourism Projects in the State of Kerala:-

The list of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme in the State of Kerala:-

(₹ in Crore)

|   S. No. | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                                             |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released /Authorised | Physical Status                                                                                       |
|----------|---------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Eco Circuit 2015-16       | Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady                                                                          |               64.08 |                         64.08 | Complete                                                                                              |
|        2 | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Sabarimala - Erumeli-Pampa- Sannidhanam                                                                          |               46.54 |                         33.39 | Complete                                                                                              |
|        3 | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Sree Padmanabha Arnamula                                                                                         |               78.08 |                         73.77 | Complete                                                                                              |
|        4 | Rural Circuit 2018-19     | Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project                                                                           |               57.35 |                         45.88 | Complete                                                                                              |
|        5 | Spiritual Circuit 2018-19 | Development Sivagiri Sree Narayana Guru Ashram- Arruvipuram- Kunnumpara Sree Subrahmania- Chembazhanthi Sree Narayana Gurukulam |               66.42 |                         42.01 | Under Implementation (Ministry of Tourism has requested concerned to expedite project implementation) |

List  of  sanctioned  projects  under  Swadesh  Darshan  2.0  scheme  in  the State of Kerala:-

|   S. No. | Destination   | Name of the Experience              | Sanction Year   |   Sanctioned Cost (₹ in Crore) | Status                                                                    |
|----------|---------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Kumarakom     | Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Experience | 2023-24         |                          13.92 | Sanctioned (Experience to be developed within one year of award of work.) |

List of projects sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in the State of Kerala:-

(₹ in Crore)

|   S. No. | Project Name                    | Sanction Year   |   Approved Cost |   Amount Released | Physical Status   |
|----------|---------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-------------------|-------------------|
|        1 | Development at Guruvayur Temple | 2016-17         |           45.19 |             45.19 | Complete          |

List  of  Projects  Sanctioned  under  the  Scheme  Assistance  to  Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development in the State of Kerala:-

|   S. No. | Sanction Year   | Name of Project                                                                       | Agency            |   Amount sanctioned (₹ in Crore) |   Amount Released (₹ in Crore) | Physical Status   |
|----------|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|----------------------------------|--------------------------------|-------------------|
|        1 | 2016-17         | Development of a Walkway/Prom enade on Willingdon Island, Cochin, Kerala              | Cochin Port Trust |                             9.01 |                           8.26 | Complete          |
|        2 | 2016-17         | Central Financial Assistance for upgrading of Births & Backup area of Ernakulam Wharf | Cochin Port Trust |                            21.41 |                          19.13 | Complete          |

|   3. | 2016-17   | Project for Up- gradation of Golf Course at SAI Trivandrum Golf Club by the Sports Authority of   | Sports Author ity of India   |   24.65 |   12.32 | Complete   |
|------|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|---------|---------|------------|
|    4 | 2018-19   | Developing infrastructure at Cochin Port Cruise Terminal.                                         | Cochin Port Trust            |    1.21 |    1.14 | Complete   |
|    5 | 2018-19   | Creation of additional tourism facilities at the Cochin Port Trust Walkway                        | Cochin Port Trust            |    4.66 |    4.66 | Complete   |
|    6 | 2019-20   | Development of Additional infrastructure in the new Cochin Port Trust Terminal                    | Cochin Port Trust            |   10.29 |    8.89 | Complete   |

## List of sanctioned projects under SASCI Scheme in the State of Kerala:-

|   S. No. | Project Name                                              |   Cost (in ₹ Crore) | Sanction Year   | Status                                                                               |
|----------|-----------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Ashtamudi Biodiversity and Eco-recreational Hub, Kollam   |               59.71 | 2024-25         | Sanctioned (To be developed and completed within maximum of two (2) year's period. ) |
|        2 | Sargaalaya: Global Gateway to Malabar's Cultural Crucible |               95.34 | 2024-25         | Sanctioned (To be developed and completed within maximum of two (2) year's period.)  |

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