Lok Sabha Question No. 2251 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-05
Subject: Development of Tourist Circuit in Madhya Pradesh
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Darshan Singh Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2251 ANSWERED ON 05.08.2024

## DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST CIRCUIT IN MADHYA PRADESH

## †2251 SHRI DARSHAN SINGH CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government plans to develop Sanchi, Pachmarhi, Satpura Tiger  Reserve  and  Dhuandhar  Waterfall  circuit  in  Central  lndia  into  a world class tourist destination;
- (b) if so, the steps taken so far in this regard;
- (c) whether  there  is a need  to ensure  interconnection  of Kareli to Hoshangabad four lane highway and Jhirpa Matkuli road via-Chhindwara to Nagpur highway for proceeding better connectivity to make the said destinations tourist friendly with the help of Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways as it is likely to provide direct connectivity from Nagpur;
- (d) whether the Government has taken any steps to develop tourist circuit with the help of other Ministries; and
- (e) If  so, whether such efforts are likely to be made for this Central India circuit also?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM                (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e):   The  Ministry  of  Tourism  through  its  central  sector  schemes  of 'Swadesh Darshan scheme (SDS)' and 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage  Augmentation  Drive  (PRASHAD)'  complements  the  efforts  of  the State Governments/UT Administrations by extending  financial  assistance to them for tourism infrastructure development. This assistance is provided in line  with  the  scheme  guidelines,  stipulated  procedures  and  in consultation with the State Governments/UT Administrations.

Under  SDS  scheme,  the  Ministry  sanctioned  4  projects  under  different themes in the state of Madhya Pradesh, the details of which is as under:-

|   S. No. | Theme / Year of Sanction   | Name of the project                                                                                                                          |   Sanctioned Amount (₹ in crore) |
|----------|----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
|        1 | Wildlife Circuit 2015-16   | Development of Wildlife Circuit at Panna- Mukundpur- Sanjay- Dubri- Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Mukki- Pench                                         |                            92.1  |
|        2 | Buddhist Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Sanchi-Satna-Rewa- Mandsaur-Dhar                                                                                              |                            74.02 |
|        3 | Heritage Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Chanderi - Bhimbetka - Mandu                                                                   |                            89.82 |
|        4 | Eco Circuit 2017-18        | Development of Gandhisagar Dam- Mandleshwar Dam- Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi Dam- Bheda Ghat- Bansagar Dam- Ken River |                            93.76 |

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  recently  revamped  the  scheme  of  Swadesh Darshan  as  Swadesh  Darshan  2.0  (SD2.0)  with  the  objective  to  develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in the country. Under this scheme, the Ministry of Tourism has selected 'Gwalior' and 'Chitrakoot'  as destinations  for  development in  Madhya Pradesh and has  sanctioned  the following projects at these destinations:-

| Destination   | Project/Experience                              |   Sanctioned Amount (₹ in crore) |
|---------------|-------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| Gwalior       | Phoolbagh Experience zone                       |                            16.73 |
| Chitrakoot    | Spritual experience through ghats of Chitrakoot |                            27.21 |

The scheme guidelines of SD2.0 envisage preparation of Perspective Plan by the  State  Governments  analysing  tourism  potential  of  various  destinations including connectivity by air, rail & road, local travel and connectivity to any tourist  circuit.  The  illustrative  list  of  admissible  components  under  SD2.0 scheme  also  includes  interventions  related  to  connectivity  (last  mile).  In addition, the institutional framework of the scheme includes constitution of National Steering Committee (NSC) and Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) with representation from various Ministries  including  of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.  The Scheme also encourages the

States  to  establish  synergy  with  other  Central  and  State  schemes  while planning the development of the destinations and prioritize development of infrastructure  pertaining  to  various  line  departments  such  as  road,  water supply and sewerage, transport etc.

The  Ministry  has  also  sanctioned  2  projects  in  Madhya  Pradesh  under PRASHAD Scheme i.e. 'Development of Amarkantak' for Rs.49.99 crore and 'Development  of  Omkareshwar'  for  Rs.43.93  crore.  Under  this  scheme,  the Ministry  of  Tourism  has    identified  "'Shri  Peetmbra  Peetha',  Datia  District" and "'Shanidev Temple', Morena District" as sites for development in  Madhya Pradesh.

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