Lok Sabha Question No. 139 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Development of Beach and Coastal Tourist Sites
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Tangella Uday Srinivas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.*139 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## DEVELOPMENT OF BEACH AND COASTAL TOURIST SITES

- *139.   SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of top ten States recording the highest number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) for beach and coastal tourism during the last five years and the current year, year and State/UT-wise, along with their respective shares;
- (b)
- whether the Government provides financial assistance for the development of select beaches as high-end tourism destinations;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof,  including  the  names  of  the  schemes  or programmes and the funds sanctioned, released and utilised;
- (d) whether the Government has undertaken any studies or assessments for the development of beaches as high-end tourism destinations;
- (e) if so, the details thereof;
- (f) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  formulate  a  comprehensive Beach Tourism Policy for the development, regulation and beautification of beaches; and
- (g) if  so,  the  details  thereof,  including  the  proposed  timelines  and  key policy objectives?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM             (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) to (g): A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

******

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (g)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*139 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF BEACH AND COASTAL TOURIST SITES RAISED BY SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS

(a): The  Ministry  compiles  data  on  Foreign  Tourist  Visits  (FTVs)  to States/Union Territories based on information received from the State/UT Governments.  The  details  of  top  ten  coastal  States/UTs  recording  the highest number of Foreign Tourist Visits during the last five years and the current year (latest available), along with their respective shares, are placed at Annexure-I.

(b) to (c):  Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including beach and coastal tourism is undertaken by the respective State Government/Union  Territory  (UT)  Administration.  The  Ministry  of  Tourism complements  the  efforts  of  States/UTs  through  various  schemes  and initiatives. The Ministry of Tourism through its central sectors schemes of 'Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)' and 'Challenge Based Destination  Development  (CBDD),  a  sub-scheme  of  Swadesh  Darshan scheme complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development in the country including at beach destinations by extending financial assistance to the SGs/UTAs on receipt of  the project proposals from  the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration in synergy with the scheme guidelines, Government directions, availability of funds etc.

Government of India under its 'Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) -Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale' has also sanctioned projects with the primary objective to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding and marketing them at global scale.

The details of projects undertaken in beach and coastal destinations under various schemes of the Ministry of Tourism are placed at Annexure II.

(d) to (g): Various schemes, programs, and initiatives of the Ministry have been  actively  addressing  issues  related  to  the  tourism  promotion  and development,  including  coastal  tourism.  The  focus  of  the  Ministry  is  to strengthen and effectively implement these ongoing initiatives and monitor the evolving needs of the tourism sector, while remaining open to further enhancements  in  alignment  with  national  priorities  and  stakeholder's inputs.

Feasibility studies and related assessments of proposed sites under the aforementioned schemes form an integral part of project development; however, a separate nationwide study, assessment or policy exclusively for development of coastal tourism is not envisaged at this point in time.

******

ANNEXURE-I

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*139 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF BEACH AND COASTAL TOURIST SITES RAISED BY SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS

i. The  details  of  coastal  States/UTs  recording  the  highest  number  of Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) during the last five years

S.

No

| State wise Foreign Tourist Visits (FTV) during 2019-2024   | State wise Foreign Tourist Visits (FTV) during 2019-2024   | State wise Foreign Tourist Visits (FTV) during 2019-2024   | State wise Foreign Tourist Visits (FTV) during 2019-2024   | State wise Foreign Tourist Visits (FTV) during 2019-2024   | State wise Foreign Tourist Visits (FTV) during 2019-2024   | State wise Foreign Tourist Visits (FTV) during 2019-2024   | State wise Foreign Tourist Visits (FTV) during 2019-2024   | State wise Foreign Tourist Visits (FTV) during 2019-2024   |
|------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| S. No                                                      | States/UTs                                                 | 2019                                                       | 2020                                                       | 2021                                                       | 2022                                                       | 2023                                                       | 2024                                                       | 2024                                                       |
|                                                            |                                                            | FTV                                                        | FTV                                                        | FTV                                                        | FTV                                                        | FTV                                                        | FTV                                                        | % Share                                                    |
| 1                                                          | Maharashtra                                                | 5,528,704                                                  | 1,262,409                                                  | 185,643                                                    | 1,511,623                                                  | 3,387,739                                                  | 3,705,170                                                  | 17.69                                                      |
| 2                                                          | West Bengal                                                | 1,656,145                                                  | 463,285                                                    | 34,828                                                     | 1,037,017                                                  | 2,706,942                                                  | 3,124,462                                                  | 14.92                                                      |
| 3                                                          | Gujarat                                                    | 595,607                                                    | 210,047                                                    | 11,319                                                     | 1,777,215                                                  | 2,806,871                                                  | 2,274,477                                                  | 10.86                                                      |
| 4                                                          | Tamil Nadu                                                 | 6,866,327                                                  | 1,228,323                                                  | 57,622                                                     | 407,126                                                    | 1,174,899                                                  | 1,161,302                                                  | 5.55                                                       |
| 5                                                          | Kerala                                                     | 1,189,771                                                  | 340,755                                                    | 60,487                                                     | 345,549                                                    | 649,057                                                    | 738,374                                                    | 3.53                                                       |
| 6                                                          | Karnataka                                                  | 608,754                                                    | 165,325                                                    | 72,487                                                     | 128,520                                                    | 409,333                                                    | 485,204                                                    | 2.32                                                       |
| 7                                                          | Goa                                                        | 937,113                                                    | 302,751                                                    | 22,128                                                     | 174,799                                                    | 452,692                                                    | 467,911                                                    | 2.23                                                       |
| 8                                                          | Andhra Pradesh                                             | 280,356                                                    | 67,591                                                     | 27,551                                                     | 165,845                                                    | 60,426                                                     | 262,431                                                    | 1.25                                                       |
| 9                                                          | Odisha                                                     | 115,128                                                    | 10,206                                                     | 2,269                                                      | 22,121                                                     | 45,173                                                     | 87,854                                                     | 0.42                                                       |
| 10                                                         | Puducherry                                                 | 149,919                                                    | 92,080                                                     | 321                                                        | 862                                                        | 31,214                                                     | 17,819                                                     | 0.09                                                       |
| 11                                                         | Andaman & Nicobar Islands                                  | 16,206                                                     | 5,412                                                      | 1,687                                                      | 4,461                                                      | 9,025                                                      | 11,497                                                     | 0.05                                                       |
| 12                                                         | Dadra Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu                           | 7,369                                                      | 1,604                                                      | 185                                                        | 1,791                                                      | 4,048                                                      | 2,626                                                      | 0.01                                                       |
| 13                                                         | Lakshadweep                                                | 820                                                        | 413                                                        | 4                                                          | 125                                                        | 755                                                        | 898                                                        | 0.00                                                       |

Source: State/UTs Tourism Departments

ANNEXURE-II

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (b)  to  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*139 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF BEACH AND COASTAL TOURIST SITES RAISED BY SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS

- I. The details of Projects undertaken in beach/coastal destinations across all schemes of Destination Development Division, Ministry of Tourism -SD 1.0, SD 2.0, CBDD, SASCI, PRASHAD are as below

Swadesh Darshan 1.0

|   S. N o. | State/UT                  | Project Name                                                                                                    | Sanction Year   |   Sanctio ned Cost (in ₹ Cr) |   Amount Authorized for utilization (in ₹ Cr) |   Amount Utilized (in ₹ Cr) | Status   |
|-----------|---------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|----------|
|         1 | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Development of Long Island- Ross Smith Island- Neil Island- Havelock Island- Baratang Island-Port Blair         | 2016-17         |                        27.57 |                                         22.13 |                       22.08 | Complete |
|         2 | Andhra Pradesh            | Development of Kakinada - Hope Island - Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary - Passarlapudi - Aduru - S Yanam - Kotipally | 2014-25         |                        67.83 |                                         67.83 |                       67.83 | Complete |
|         3 | Andhra Pradesh            | Development of Nellore - Pulikat Lake -                                                                         | 2015-16         |                        49.55 |                                         49.55 |                       49.55 | Complete |

|    |             | Ubblamadugu Water Falls - Nelapattu- Kothakoduru- Mypadu - Ramateertham - Iskapalli                                                                |         |       |       |       |          |
|----|-------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|-------|-------|-------|----------|
|  4 | Goa         | Development of Sinquerim- Baga, Anjuna- Vagator, Morjim-Keri, Aguada Fort and Aguada Jail                                                          | 2016-17 | 97.65 | 97.65 | 97.5  | Complete |
|  5 | Goa         | Development of Coastal Circuit II: Rua De Orum Creek - Dona Paula - Colva - Benaulim                                                               | 2017-18 | 99.35 | 99.35 | 97.74 | Complete |
|  6 | Maharashtra | Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit - Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek), Devgad, Mitbhav, Tondavali, Mochemad and Nivati Fort | 2015-16 | 19.06 | 18.1  | 17.61 | Complete |
|  7 | Odisha      | Development of Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada and Tampara                                                                                              | 2016-17 | 70.82 | 67.28 | 59.47 | Complete |

| 8     | Puducherry   | Development of Dubrayapet - Arikamedu - Veerampattina m - Chunnambar - Nallavadu/Nara mbai - Manapet- Kalapet -   | 2015-16   |   58.44 |   58.44 |   58.44 | Complete   |
|-------|--------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|---------|---------|---------|------------|
| 9     | Tamil Nadu   | Yanam Development of (Chennai- Mamamallapur am - Rameshwaram - Manpadu - Kanyakumari)                             | 2016-17   |   73.13 |   71.03 |   71.03 | Complete   |
| 10    | West Bengal  | Development of Beach Circuit: Udaipur- Digha- Shankarpur- Tajpur- Mandarmani- Fraserganj- Bakkhlai- Henry Island  | 2015-16   |   67.99 |   65.07 |   65.07 | Complete   |
| TOTAL | TOTAL        | TOTAL                                                                                                             | TOTAL     |  631.39 |  616.43 |  606.32 |            |

## II.  Swadesh Darshan 2.0

| S. No.   | State/UT   | Project Name   | Sanction Date   | Sanctioned Project Cost (in ₹ Cr)   | Amount Authorized for utilization   | Amount Utilized (in ₹ Cr)   | Status   |
|----------|------------|----------------|-----------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------|----------|

| 1   | Andhra Pradesh                   | Developme nt of Suryalanka Beach Experience                                    | 29.03.2025   |   97.52 | 9.75   | -   | Work commence d (4.04% Physical Progress)          |
|-----|----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|---------|--------|-----|----------------------------------------------------|
| 2   | Goa                              | Colva Beach Experience                                                         | 28.08.2024   |   19.89 | 1.99   | -   | Work Commence d recently                           |
| 3   | Puducher ry                      | Karaikal beach and waterfront experience                                       | 05.03.2024   |   20.3  | -      | -   | CRZ clearance pending                              |
| 4   | Tamil Nadu                       | Immersive experience at Shore Temple                                           | 29.02.2024   |   30.02 | -      | -   | NMA Clearance pending                              |
| 5   | Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman | Daman Convention Centre                                                        | 29.03.2025   |  147.13 | -      | -   | Tender Published (CRZ clearance received recently) |
| 6   | Kerala                           | Alappuzha: A Global Water Wonderland                                           | 29.03.2025   |   93.18 | 9.32   | -   | Work Commence d (11.46% Physical Progress)         |
| 7   | Lakshad weep                     | Developme nt of Eco- Retreat, Adventure, Beach and Mice Experience at Bangaram | 29.03.2025   |   81.18 | 8.12   | -   | Project under revision.*                           |
|     |                                  |                                                                                | TOTAL        |  489.2  | 29.18  |     |                                                    |

NOTE: *Development of Eco-Retreat, Adventure, Beach and Mice Experience at  Bangaram:  In  the  review  meeting  held  under  Chairmanship  of  Hon'ble

Minister  for  Tourism  &  Culture  in  December  2025,  UT  administration informed that it has been decided existing proposal will be expanded with cost enhancement, for which revised DPR is being prepared. The same will submitted to Ministry in due course.

## III.  Challenge Based Destination Development CBDD Scheme

| S. No.   | State/UT    | Project Name                                | Sanction Date   |   Sanctioned Cost (in Cr) |   Amount Authorize d for utilization (in ₹ Cr) | Amount Utilized (in ₹ Cr)   | Status                                    |
|----------|-------------|---------------------------------------------|-----------------|---------------------------|------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| 1        | Gujarat     | The Sacred Ocean Retreat at Harsiddhi Shore | 27.03.2025      |                     24.66 |                                           2.47 | -                           | Tender Published recently                 |
| 2        | Kerala      | Varkala- Dakshin Kashi                      | 27.03.2025      |                     25    |                                           2.5  | -                           | Work Commen ced (1.54% Physical Progress) |
| 3        | Kerala      | Thalassery: The Spritiual Nexus             | 27.03.2025      |                     25    |                                           2.5  | -                           | Work Commen ced (8.34% Physical Progress) |
| 4        | Puduche rry | Development of White Town                   | 27.03.2025      |                     22.19 |                                           2.22 | -                           | Work recently commenc ed                  |
| 5        | Tamil Nadu  | Iconic transformati on of Rameswara m       | 27.03.2025      |                     20.01 |                                           2    | -                           | Work Commen ced (7.77% Physical Progress) |
| TOTAL    | TOTAL       | TOTAL                                       | TOTAL           |                    116.85 |                                          11.69 |                             |                                           |

## IV.  Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme

| S. No.   | State/UT    | Project Name                                                             | Sanction Date   |   Sanction ed Cost (in Cr) |   Amount Released for utilization (in ₹ Cr) | Amount Utilized (in ₹ Cr)   | Status                                     |
|----------|-------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|----------------------------|---------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| 1        | Kerala      | Ashtamudi Biodiversit y and Eco- recreation al Hub                       | 26.11.2024      |                      59.71 |                                       39.34 | -                           | Work commenc ed (17.45% Physical Progress) |
| 2        | Maharashtra | Ex-INS Guldar Underwate r Museum, Artificial Reef, and Submarine Tourism | 26.11.2024      |                      46.91 |                                       30.96 | -                           | Work commenc ed (10% Physical Progress)    |
| TOTAL    | TOTAL       | TOTAL                                                                    | TOTAL           |                     106.62 |                                       70.3  |                             |                                            |

## V. Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme

|   S. No. | State/UT   | Project Name                      | Sanction Date   |   Sanctione d Project Cost (in Cr) |   Amount Authorize d for utilization (in ₹ Cr ) |   Amount Utilized (in ₹ Cr) | Status                                                                    |
|----------|------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------|------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Goa        | Development of Bom Jesus Basilica | 04.12.2024      |                              16.46 |                                            4.68 |                           0 | Work Commence d (24.78% physical progress) State has proposed deviations. |

|       |            |                                                                                                                          |            |        |        |        | To be placed before CSMC.   |
|-------|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|--------|--------|--------|-----------------------------|
| 2     | Gujarat    | Development of Dwarka                                                                                                    | 12.09.2016 |  10.46 |  10.46 |  10.46 | Completed                   |
| 3     | Gujarat    | Development of Promenade at Somnath                                                                                      | 19.12.2018 |  47.12 |  47.12 |  47.12 | Completed                   |
| 4     | Gujarat    | Development of Pilgrimage Amenities at Somnath                                                                           | 28.03.2017 |  45.36 |  45.36 |  45.36 | Completed                   |
| 5     | Odisha     | Infrastructur e Development at Puri, Shree Jagannath Dham - Ramachandi - Prachi River front at Demuli under Mega Circuit | 26.03.2015 |  50    |  10    |   0    | Foreclosed                  |
| 6     | Tamil Nadu | Development of Velankanni                                                                                                | 07.10.2016 |   4.86 |   4.86 |   4.86 | Completed                   |
| TOTAL | TOTAL      | TOTAL                                                                                                                    | TOTAL      | 174.26 | 122.48 | 107.8  |                             |

VI. Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA) for Infrastructure Development

List of Beach Development Projects:

| S. No.   | Project Name                                                               | State       | Agency            | Sanction Date   | Amount Released for utilization (in ₹ Cr)   |   Amount Utilized (in ₹ Cr) |   Sanction ed Project Cost (in Cr) | Status     |
|----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------------|-----------------|---------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------|------------|
| 1.       | Development of a Walkway/ Promenade on Willingdon Island, Cochin, Kerala   | Kerala      | Cochin Port Trust | 28-10- 2016     | 8.26                                        |                        8.26 |                               9.01 | Compl eted |
| 2.       | Creation of additional tourism facilities at the Cochin Port Trust Walkway | Kerala      | Cochin Port Trust | 12-12- 2018     | 4.66                                        |                        3.74 |                               4.66 | Compl eted |
|          | TOTAL 12.92                                                                | TOTAL 12.92 | TOTAL 12.92       | TOTAL 12.92     | TOTAL 12.92                                 |                       12    |                              13.67 |            |

## VII. List of Other Coastal Projects under ACA:

|   S. No. | Project Name                                                                           | State       | Agency             | Sanction Date   |   Amount Authorized for utilization (in ₹ Cr) |   Amount Utilized (in ₹ Cr) |   Sanctio ned Project Cost (in Cr) | Status     |
|----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|--------------------|-----------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------|------------|
|        1 | Sound & Light Show at Diu Fort, Diu                                                    | Daman & Diu | ITDC               | 28-02- 2015     |                                          6.2  |                        6.2  |                               7.75 | Compl eted |
|        2 | Cruise Passenger Facilities Centre in the existing Passenger Terminal at Chennai Port. | Tamil Nadu  | Chennai Port Trust | 24-09- 2012     |                                         17.24 |                       17.24 |                              17.24 | Compl eted |
|        3 | Central Financial Assistance for upgrading of                                          | Kerala      | Cochin Port Trust  | 31-03- 2017     |                                         19.12 |                       17.12 |                              21.41 | Compl eted |

|    | Births & Backup area of Ernakulam Wharf                                                                     |                |                           |             |       |       |       |                        |
|----|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|---------------------------|-------------|-------|-------|-------|------------------------|
|  4 | Development of Additional infrastructure in the new Cochin Port Trust Terminal                              | Kerala         | Cochin Port Trust         | 13-12- 2019 |  8.88 |  8.89 | 10.29 | Compl eted             |
|  5 | Developing infrastructure at Cochin Port Cruise Terminal.                                                   | Kerala         | Cochin Port Trust         | 12-12- 2018 |  1.14 |  1.14 |  1.2  | Compl eted             |
|  6 | Improvement of immigration facility and deepening of existing cruise berth at Mormugao Port Trust           | Goa            | Mormug ao Port trust      | 24-08- 2018 |  4.91 |  4.91 | 13.16 | Forecl osed            |
|  7 | Development of International and Domestic Cruise Terminal and allied facilities at Mormugao Port Trust, Goa | Goa            | Mormug ao Port Trust      | 10-09- 2021 | 40    | 40    | 50    | Ongoi ng               |
|  8 | Cruise Terminal Building at Mormugao Port Trust                                                             | Goa            | Mormug ao Port trust      | 24-06- 2014 |  7.67 |  7.67 |  8.79 | Compl eted             |
|  9 | Construction of Cruise-Cum- Costal Cargo Terminal at                                                        | Andhra Pradesh | Visakha patnam Port Trust | 14-12- 2018 | 29.91 | 29.91 | 38.5  | Physic ally Compl eted |

|     | Channel berth area in Outer Harbour of Visakhapatna m Port                                    |              |                   |             |        |       |        |                        |
|-----|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|-------------------|-------------|--------|-------|--------|------------------------|
| 10. | Up-gradation/ modernization to International Cruise terminal at Indira Dock, Mumbai           | Maharas htra | Mumbai Port Trust | 29-12- 2017 |  12.5  | 12.50 |  12.5  | Compl eted             |
| 11. | Development of Kanoji Angre Lighthouse as a tourist Destination                               | Maharas htra | Mumbai Port trust | 09-08- 2016 |  15    | -     |  15    | Compl eted             |
| 12. | Upgradation/M odernization to International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock, Mumbai Port Trust | Maharas htra | Mumbai Port Trust | 20-12- 2021 |  30    | 30.0  |  37.5  | Ongoi ng               |
| 13. | Puri Railway Station                                                                          | Orissa       | MoR               | No Data     |   6.14 | 6.15  |   6.15 | Compl eted             |
| 14. | Rameshwaram Railway Station                                                                   | Tamil Nadu   | MoR               | 28-03- 2018 |   3.75 | 2.26  |   4.7  | Physic ally Compl eted |
| 15. | Thiruvanantha puram Central station (TVC)                                                     | Kerala       | MoR               | 30-07- 2013 |   4    | 3.98  |   5.98 | Physic ally Compl eted |
|     |                                                                                               |              |                   | TOTAL       | 206.46 | 42.39 | 276.34 |                        |

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