Lok Sabha Question No. 5001 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Promotion of Heritage and Pilgrimage Destinations in Tiruchirappalli
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Durai Vaiko

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5001 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## PROMOTION OF HERITAGE AND PILGRIMAGE DESTINATIONS IN TIRUCHIRAPPALLI

## 5001. SHRI DURAI VAIKO:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Tiruchirappalli district, home to the renowned Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple and Thiruvanaikaval  Jambukeswarar  Temple,  continues  to  witness  a steady rise in tourist arrivals;
- (b) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  tourist  arrivals  in  Tiruchirappalli  has increased by about 17.2 per cent in the year 2025 with nearly 3.1 crore visitors and foreign tourist arrivals grew by around 35 per cent as per Tourism Department data;
- (c) the  details  of  the  initiatives  undertaken  by  the  Government  to promote these major heritage and pilgrimage destinations in Trichy at the national and international levels;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  also  aware  that  adequate  signboards indicating major tourist destinations and Tiruchirappalli International Airport are lacking at several key locations, causing inconvenience to tourists; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  coordinate  with  the  State Government  to  install  proper  tourist  signages  and  multilingual directional boards connecting major tourist sites and the airport and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM         (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) and (b):  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  compiles  the  foreign  and  domestic tourist visits data from  the information provided by the state/UT governments. The Number of domestic and foreign visits (DTV and FTV) to  Tiruchirappalli  district,  during  the  last  5  years  as  received  from  the state government is annexed.

As per the data, the Tiruchirappalli district continues to witness a rise in tourist arrivals. Further, as per the provisional figures for the year 2025, tourist arrivals in Tiruchirappalli have increased by 17.07 per cent with more than three crore visitors. Foreign tourist arrivals grew by 31.82 per cent. (c): Identification, development and promotion of tourism destinations and products is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government (SG)/Union  Territory  Administration  (UTA).  However,  the  Ministry  of Tourism through its central sector schemes complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development in the country by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations. The  State  Government  has  informed  that,  it  has  implemented  a multi-  pronged  strategy  involving  both  Assisted  Schemes  and  State Central Funded Schemes to enhance the infrastructure, accessibility, and global visibility of Tiruchirappalli's heritage sites, such as, infrastructure development at major pilgrimage hubs at Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswarar Temple, and Rockfort Temple; enhancement of the Cholanattu Thirupathigal Heritage & Eco- Tourism Circuit,  ancillary  Attractions  and    Connectivity  Projects;  modernization and provision of amenities such as solar power stations and LED lighting and various tourist  facilities  at  Puliancholai  Falls.  Further,  Tamil  Nadu Tourism has participated in major global expos including WTM London (2022,  2024,  2025),  ITB  Berlin  (2023),  and  IFTM  Top  Resa  Paris  (2024, 2025) to highlight heritage sites like those in Trichy. The  State  Government  has  informed  that  in  certain  locations  in Tiruchirappalli district, directional signages and boards for major tourist

(d): destinations and the International Airport are being upgraded.

(e): The development and promotion of tourist  destinations,  including handling  of  safety  and  infrastructure  issues  like  signages,  is  primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration, with financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism. In this context, the State Government has informed that it is independently executing a comprehensive modernization of navigational infrastructure with  Multilingual  Standards  and  Strategic  Placement  through  its  own dedicated projects and international funding.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) AND (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5001 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 REGARDING PROMOTION OF  HERITAGE  AND  PILGRIMAGE  DESTINATIONS  IN  TIRUCHIRAPPALLI RAISED BY SHRI DURAI VAIKO.

Number  of  Domestic  and  Foreign  Tourist  Visits  (DTV  and  FTV)  to Tiruchirappalli district, during the last 5 years

| Year    | DTV         | FTV      | Total       |
|---------|-------------|----------|-------------|
| 2021    | 1,39,39,910 | 3,502    | 1,39,43,412 |
| 2022    | 2,03,65,852 | 76541    | 2,04,42,393 |
| 2023    | 2,98,96,654 | 1,27,369 | 3,00,24,023 |
| 2024    | 2,67,66,722 | 1,29,987 | 2,68,96,709 |
| 2025(P) | 3,13,17,745 | 1,71,345 | 3,14,89,090 |

P: Provisional Source: State Government