Lok Sabha Question No. 1119 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Development of Religious Tourism in Gujarat
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Haribhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1119 ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## DEVELOPMENT OF RELIGIOUS TOURISM IN GUJARAT

## 1119. SHRI HARIBHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plans to develop religious tourism in the State of Gujarat and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  details  of  the  funds  allotted,  sanctioned  and  released  for  the same during the last five years; and
- (c) the details of the religious places in Gujarat that have been included
- under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM            (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (c): Ministry  of  Tourism  under  its  PRASHAD  Scheme  provides Central  Financial  Assistance  to  State  Governments/UT  Administrations including Gujarat for development of pilgrimage tourism infrastructure at the religious tourist places. The details of projects sanctioned under the PRASHAD  Scheme  in  Gujarat  is  given  at  Annexure.  In  addition,  1  site namely  Shri  Nilkanth  Mahadev  Temple,  Sunak,  Mahesana  has  been identified for development in the State of Gujarat under PRASHAD Scheme.

Ministry of Tourism under its Swadesh Darshan Scheme, has sanctioned 3 projects under Buddhist circuit and Heritage circuit respectively. Further, Ministry of Tourism revamped the Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan  2.0  (SD  2.0)  with  the  objective  to  develop  sustainable  and and Dwarka  have  been  identified  under  SD  2.0.  Moreover,  Porbandar,  Thol Village  and  Vadnagar  are  identified  under  Challenge  Based  Destination responsible destinations. Two destinations, namely, Dholavira Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme of SD 2.0.

The details of the projects sanctioned in Gujarat is annexed.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1119 ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT  OF  RELIGIOUS  TOURISM  IN  GUJARAT  RAISED  BY  SHRI HARIBHAI PATEL

List of projects sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in Gujarat

(Rs. In Crore)

|   Sr. No. | Name of the Project                                                           | Sanction Year   |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released |
|-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|---------------------|-------------------|
|         1 | Development of Dwarka                                                         | 2016-17         |               13.08 |             10.46 |
|         2 | Development of Pilgrimage Amenities at Somnath                                | 2016-17         |               45.36 |             45.36 |
|         3 | Development of Promenade at Somnath                                           | 2018-19         |               47.12 |             47.12 |
|         4 | Development of Pilgrim Plaza with Queue management complex at Somnath Gujarat | 2021-22         |               49.97 |              0    |
|         5 | Development of Pilgrimage Facilities at Ambaji Temple                         | 2022-23         |               50    |             10.54 |

List of projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in Gujarat:

(Rs. In Crore)

| Circuit Name             | Name of the Project                                                             |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released |
|--------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|
| Heritage Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Ahmedabad- Rajkot- Porbandar - Bardoli- Dandi                    |               59.17 |             56.21 |
| Heritage Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Vadnagar- Modhera                                                |               91.12 |             87.25 |
| Buddhist Circuit 2017-18 | Development of Junagadh- Gir Somnath- Bharuch-Kutch- Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana |               26.68 |             22.28 |

Details of Projects sanctioned under Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI) in Gujarat

|   Sr. No. | Name of the Project                                     |   Cost (in ₹ Cr ore) |
|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|
|         1 | Ecotourism Destination at Kerly (Mokarsagar), Porbandar |                99.5  |
|         2 | Tented City and Convention Centre, Dhordo               |                51.56 |

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