Lok Sabha Question No. 2381 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Projects for Koraput and Rayagada under SDS 2.0/PRASHAD
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2381 ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## PROJECTS FOR KORAPUT AND RAYAGADA UNDER SDS 2.0/PRASHAD

## 2381. SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether projects have been sanctioned for Koraput and Rayagada under  Swadesh  Darshan  (SDS)  2.0/Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), if so, the details of the sites, funds and completion timelines;
- (b) the  status  of  basic  amenities  such  as  road  access,  toilets,  safe viewpoints, drinking water, waste management and digital services such as (last-mile connectivity, SOS, e-ticketing);
- (c) the details of the targets for community homestays/craft hubs (e.g. Kotpad)  and  local/Scheduled  Tribes  employment  and  enterprise share;
- (d) whether  carrying-capacity,  Eco-Sensitive  Zone  (ESZ)  and  safety audits of landslide/flash-flood, bridges/cliff edges have been completed; and
- (e) whether  an  integrated  single-window  mechanism  with  site-wise milestones  (2024 -26)  will  be  notified,  with  outcomes  on  footfall, stays and artisan sales?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM          (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): Development  of  tourist  destinations  and  tourism  products including  basic  amenities,  connectivity,  carrying  capacity  and  safety assessments are primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government  (SG)  /  Union  Territory  Administration  (UTA).  However,  the Ministry  of  Tourism  through  its  central  sector  schemes  of  'Swadesh Darshan (SD)', 'Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)', 'Challenge Based Destination  Development  (CBDD)'  a  subscheme  of  SD2.0,  'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (P RASHAD)' and 'Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development

(ACATID)' complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations/Central  Agencies;  subject  to  adherence  to  scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), availability of funds, inter-se priority etc. In  addition,  Government  of  India  under  its  initiative  for  'Special Assistance  to  States  for  Capital  Investment  (SASCI)-Development  of Iconic  Tourist  Centre  to  Global  Scale'  has  also  provided  financial assistance to the States for development of tourism related projects. No proposal specific for Koraput or Rayagada has been sanctioned by the Ministry under the above mentioned schemes. Targets  for  community  homestays,  craft  hubs  or  local/Scheduled Tribes  employment  and  enterprise  share  are  primarily  planned  and implemented  by  the  concerned  SGs/UTAs  as  part  of  their  tourism  and livelihood  development strategies.  Ministry of  Tourism has not set any scheme-specific targets for these parameters. No such proposal for an integrated single-window mechanism with site-wise  milestones  for  the  period  2024 -26,  including  outcomes  on footfall, stays and artisan sales, is under consideration.

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