Lok Sabha Question No. 78 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: New Tourism Circuit Projects in Kerala
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.78

## ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## NEW TOURISM CIRCUIT PROJECTS IN KERALA

- 78 ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  implement  new  Tourism Circuit Projects in the State of Kerala under Swadesh Darshan Scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  present  status  of  implementation  of  the  ongoing  Sivagiri  Tourism Circuit in the State along  with the details of fund released and utilized;
- (c) whether the Government has cognizance of the delay in the implementation of this project;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the measures taken by the Government to complete the project without further delay; and
- (e) the time by which the next instalment of funds for this project will be released?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM               (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  provides  financial  assistance  to  the  State Governments/UT  Administrations  under  its  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  for augmentation  of  tourism  facilities/infrastructure  in  the  country  and  has already sanctioned 05 projects under Eco, Rural and Spiritual circuit themes in the State of Kerala for Rs.312.47 Crore under the scheme.

Now the Ministry of Tourism has revamped the Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible  tourism  destinations,  following  a  destination  &  tourism-centric approach. In consultation with the States/UTs and in line with the scheme guidelines, the Ministry has notified 57 destinations across 32 States/UTs in the  country  for  development  under  SD  2.0  including  'Kumarakom'  and 'Kozhikode  (Beypore)'  in  Kerala.    A  project  'Kumarakom  Bird  Sanctuary Experience' amounting Rs.13.92 Crore has been sanctioned in the State of Kerala under SD 2.0.

Further,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  also  issued  guidelines  for  'Challenge Based Destination Development', a sub-scheme under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, under  which  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  identified  42  destinations  for development  including  'Varkala'  under  Culture  &  Heritage  Destinations category and 'Thalassery' under Spiritual Destinations category in the State of Kerala.

(b) to (e): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  in  the  year  2018-19  sanctioned  the project  'Development  Sivagiri  Sree  Narayana  Guru  Ashram-  ArruvipuramKunnumpara Sree Subrahmania- Chembazhanthi Sree Narayana Gurukulam' under  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme,  with  the  present  sanctioned  cost  of Rs.66.42  Crore.  India  Tourism  Development  Corporation  Ltd.  (ITDC)  is  the implementing agency of the project. The Ministry of Tourism has authorized release  of  Rs.42.01  Crore  whereas  the  implementing  agency  till  15 th   July, 2024 has utilized Rs.26.54 Crore. The next  set of authorization for  release is  made by the Ministry  on  receipt of  the Utilization  Certificate  of  the already    authorized    amount    and    as  per  the  payment    instalments    and conditions    stipulated  in  the  scheme    guidelines.  The  Ministry  of  Tourism reviews  the  progress  of  the  project  from  time  to  time  and  has  noted  the delay  in  the  completion  of  project.    The  Ministry  has  further  directed  the implementing  agency  to  expedite  the  works  in  co-ordination  with  local authorities.

The implementing agency has reported physical completion of the following works in the project:-

## (i) Aruvippuram:

Community Kitchen, Public Convenience, View Deck Point, Resting Building, Entrance Gate, Supply and Testing of 8 Seater & 4 Seater Battery operated Electric Vehicles, CCTV Camera and Supply Installation Testing & Commissioning of LED solar street lights.

## (ii) Kunnumpara:

Tourist Facilitation Centre, Entrance Gate, Overhead Tank, View Point Deck, Public Convenience, Craft Bazar and Supply Installation Testing & Commissioning of LED solar street lights.

## (iii) Chempazhanthy:

Parking  &  other  Development  works,  Water  Kiosk,  Rain  Water  Harvesting, Tourist Facilitation Centre and Supply Installation Testing & Commissioning of LED solar street lights.

## (iv) Sivagiri:

Parking, Rain Shelter, Bus Shelter, Water Tank, Supply & Testing of 8 Seater and  4  Seater  Battery  operated  Electric  Vehicle,  CCTV  Camera,  Supply Installation Testing & Commissioning of LED solar street lights and Supply Installation Testing & Commissioning of Under Ground HT/LT cable Work.

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