Lok Sabha Question No. 1466 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Redevelopment of Temple Corridors and Pilgrimage Sites
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Hasmukhbhai Somabhai Patel, Smt. Vijaylakshmi Devi, Shri Miteshbhai Rameshbhai Patel, Shri Chandan Chauhan, Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam, Shri Vivek Thakur, Shri Bunty Vivek Sahu, Shri Ashish Dubey, Shri Narayan Tatu Rane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.+1466

## ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## REDEVELOPMENT OF TEMPLE CORRIDORS AND PILGRIMAGE SITES

+1466.SMT. VIJAYLAKSHMI DEVI:

SHRI NARAYAN TATU RANE:

SHRI CHANDAN CHAUHAN:

SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

SHRI VIVEK THAKUR:

SHRI HASMUKHBHAI SOMABHAI PATEL:

SHRI BUNTY VIVEK SAHU:

SHRI ASHISH DUBEY:

SHRI MITESHBHAI RAMESHBHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the major temple corridor and pilgrimage site redevelopment projects supported by the Government during the year 2025, including information on the key sites involved, State/UT-wise, particularly in Madhya Pradesh;
- (b) the details of the funds sanctioned, released and utilized for the said projects along with the current status thereof, State/UT-wise especially in Bihar;
- (c) the  details  of  the  measures  taken  to  ensure  a  balance  between heritage conservation,  improvement  of  pilgrim  facilities,  crowd management and environmental sustainability; and
- (d) the extent to which the said redevelopment initiatives enhanced the pilgrimage  experience,  local  employment  and  regional  economic activity, State/UT-wise, particularly in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM             (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): The  Ministry  of  Tourism,  through  its  ongoing  schemes  of Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) and Swadesh Darshan, complements the efforts of the State Governments (SGs) and UT Administrations (UTs) by extending financial assistance to SGs/UTs for the development of tourism-related infrastructure  across  the  country  including  major  pilgrimage  sites  and temple corridors.

During  the  year  2025,  various  projects  for  the  development  of pilgrimage destinations have been sanctioned under the above mentioned schemes. The details of the funds sanctioned, released, utilised along with the  present  status  of  these  projects  in  the  country  including  Madhya Pradesh and Bihar are given in the Annexure.

Under  the  above  mentioned  schemes,  projects  are  formulated  and implemented  in  accordance  with  the  approved  guidelines  to  ensure sustainable and responsible tourism. The Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are prepared in consultations with the respective State Governments and UT  Administrations,  local  bodies,  and  other  stakeholders.  The  said consultations are undertaken  to  ensure that spiritual integrity  and ingenuity of the sites are maintained while developing various amenities for improving overall pilgrim/tourist experience. The DPR submitted to the Ministry of Tourism also incorporates sustainable operation and maintenance plans for the proposed projects.

To address challenges such as overcrowding, environmental degradation, infrastructure  strain  in  high-footfall  pilgrimage  sites  and  to improve  pilgrimage  experience,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  sanctioned various interventions such as Queue management complex, Waiting halls, Widening of approach roads,  CCTVs for pilgrim safety,  Parking, Tourist Information Centre, last-mile connectivity, solid and pious waste management systems, illumination, sanitation, amenities centres, interpretation facilities, rainwater harvesting among others. Also, under the Central Sector Schemes of PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan, the Ministry seeks  to  develop  tourism  infrastructure  in  a  holistic  and  sustainable manner with the objective of boosting tourism, conserving local culture, generating employment and strengthening the local economy across the country.

*******

## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.+1466 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026 REGARDING REDEVELOPMENT OF TEMPLE CORRIDORS AND PILGRIMAGE SITES BY SMT. VIJAYLAKSHMI DEVI, SHRI NARAYAN TATU RANE, SHRI CHANDAN CHAUHAN, SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM, SHRI VIVEK THAKUR, SHRI  HASMUKHBHAI  SOMABHAI  PATEL,  SHRI  BUNTY  VIVEK  SAHU,  SHRI ASHISH DUBEY, SHRI MITESHBHAI RAMESHBHAI PATEL

List of pilgrimage projects sanctioned under PRASHAD, SD 2.0 and CBDD Scheme in 2025

|   Sr. No. | State              | Scheme   | Project Name                                                            | Sanctio n Year   |   Sanction Cost (₹ Cr.) |   Amount Authorise d (₹ Cr.) |   Amount Utilised (₹ Cr.) | Status   |
|-----------|--------------------|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------|---------------------------|----------|
|         1 | Andhr a Prade sh   | CBDD     | Enriching Buddhist Heritage and Cultural Experiences at Nagarjuna Sagar | March 2025       |                   25    |                         2.5  |                         0 | Ongo ing |
|         2 | Andhr a Prade sh   | CBDD     | Development of Abhobilam as a Spiritual Odyssey                         | March 2025       |                   24.99 |                         2.5  |                         0 | Ong oing |
|         3 | Bihar              | SD 2.0   | Development of the Buddhist Meditation & Experience Centre, Bodh Gaya   | March 2025       |                  165.44 |                        16.54 |                         0 | Ong oing |
|         4 | Bihar              | PRASH AD | Development of Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran                             | March 2025       |                   13.29 |                         0    |                         0 | Ong oing |
|         5 | Himach al Prades h | SD 2.0   | Development of Maa Chintpurni Devi Temple, Una                          | July 2025        |                   56.26 |                         5.63 |                         0 | Ong oing |
|         6 | Jharkha nd         | CBDD     | Tourism Infrastructure                                                  | March 2025       |                   18.87 |                         1.87 |                         0 | Ong oing |

|    |                  |          | Development at Ramrekha Dham                                                        |            |       |      |    |          |
|----|------------------|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------|------|----|----------|
|  6 | Kerala           | CBDD     | Thalassery: The Spritiual Nexus                                                     | March 2025 | 25    | 2.5  |  0 | Ong oing |
|  7 | Karnata ka D     | PRASHA   | Development of Renuka Yallama Devi temple                                           | March 2025 | 18.37 | 0    |  0 | Ong oing |
|  8 | Karnata ka       | PRASHA D | Development of Basic Amenities at Papnash Temple, Bidar dist.                       | March 2025 | 22.25 | 6.3  |  0 | Ong oing |
|  9 | Madhy a Prade sh | SD 2.0   | Development of Pitambara Peeth Datia                                                | July 2025  | 44.24 | 4.42 |  0 | Ong oing |
| 10 | Madhy a Prade sh | CBDD     | Orchha A Medieval Splendour 2.0                                                     | March 2025 | 25    | 2.5  |  0 | Ong oing |
| 11 | Meghal aya       | CBDD     | Nartiang Spiritual & Cultural Centre                                                | March 2025 | 24.87 | 2.49 |  0 | Ong oing |
| 12 | Mizora m D       | PRASHA   | Development of Basic Amenities under PRASHAD scheme in Vangchhia, Champhai District | March 2025 |  5.47 | 1.56 |  0 | Ong oing |
| 13 | Nagaland         | CBDD     | Soulful Trails: The Impur Heritage Experience                                       | March 2025 | 24.94 | 2.49 |  0 | Ong oing |
| 14 | Punja b          | CBDD     | Heritage Street - A Symbol of Peace and Harmony at Sri Anandpur Sahib               | March 2025 | 24.9  | 2.49 |  0 | Ong oing |
| 15 | Puduch erry      | PRASH AD | Development of Pilgrim Facilites& Tourist                                           | March 2025 | 25.94 | 0    |  0 | Ong oing |

|    |              |          | attractions for Sri Dharbaranyeswa ra Temple                        |            |       |      |    |          |
|----|--------------|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------|------|----|----------|
| 16 | Rajasth an   | SD 2.0   | Development works at Shri KhatuShyam Ji Temple (Sikar)              | March 2025 | 87.87 | 8.79 |  0 | Ong oing |
| 17 | Rajasth an   | SD 2.0   | Development Works at Shri Karnimatamandi r, Bikaner                 | July 2025  | 22.58 | 2.26 |  0 | Ong oing |
| 18 | Rajasth an   | SD 2.0   | Development of Malaseri Dungri, Bhilwara District                   | July 2025  | 48.73 | 4.87 |  0 | Ong oing |
| 19 | Sikki m      | CBDD     | Kabi Chronicles: A journey through Unity and Heritage               | March 2025 | 24.96 | 2.5  |  0 | Ong oing |
| 20 | Tamil Nadu   | CBDD     | Iconic transformation of Rameswaram                                 | March 2025 | 20.01 | 2    |  0 | Ong oing |
| 21 | Tamil Nadu   | PRASH AD | Development of 8 Navagraha Temples                                  | March 2025 | 40.94 | 0    |  0 | Ong oing |
| 22 | Telang ana   | PRASH AD | Development of Basic Amenities at goddess RenukaYellama Devasthanam | March 2025 |  4.22 | 0    |  0 | Ong oing |
| 23 | Uttarak hand | CBDD     | Development of Kainchi Dham Campus                                  | March 2025 | 17.6  | 1.76 |  0 | Ong oing |

*****