Lok Sabha Question No. 2608 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Development of Destinations under SASCI
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Dr. Sambit Patra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2608

## ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## DEVELOPMENT OF DESTINATIONS UNDER SASCI

†2608. DR. SAMBIT PATRA :

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  made  any  plan  under  the  Special Assistance  to  States  for  Capital  Investment  (SASCI)  Scheme  to develop  lesser  known  destinations  of  cultural  importance  and having no transportation and lodging facilities for tourists;
- (b) whether the Government has identified such important places and prepared their list  with  a  view  point  of  tourism,  if  so,  the  details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (c) the details of the budget provision made by the Government for the development of the said cultural tourism sites; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  made  any  assessment/study  of  the growth of employment generation and local economy due to such cultural tourism sites, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM            (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): Development and promotion of tourism including assessment of employment  generation  is  primarily  undertaken  by  the  concerned  State Government  (SG)/Union  Territory  Administration  (UTA).  With  the  aim  to develop iconic tourist centres in the country, the Ministry of Tourism issued operational  guidelines  along  with  detailed  project  report  template  under Special Assistance to the States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. The  objective  of  the  scheme  envisages  the  local  economy  growth  and creation of employment opportunities through sustainable tourism projects.

As  per  the  guidelines,  the  proposals  were  invited  from  the  SGs  for considering  financial  assistance  to  the  States  under  the  scheme.  The parameters formulated for examining the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs)

submitted by the States covered connectivity to the site, existing tourism eco-system  at  site/destination,  carrying  capacity,  availability  of  utility services,  project  impact  and  value  envisaged  which  included  expected increase  in  tourist  footfall,  increase  tourist  spend,  new  employment opportunities, attracting private investment etc. Accordingly, 40 projects including at culturally important sites were sanctioned by the Government of India under the scheme for ₹3295.76 Crore in the financial year 2024 -25 with 100% central funding and the details of these projects is annexed.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO . †2608 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF DESTINATIONS UNDER SASCI RAISED BY DR. SAMBIT PATRA

List of projects sanctioned in 2024-25 under Special assistance to states for capital investment (SASCI Scheme) - Development of iconic tourist centres to global scale:

| S. No.   | State             | Year of Sanction   | Name of the Project                                                     |   Sanctioned Cost (₹ Cr ore) |
|----------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|
| 1.       | Andhra Pradesh    | 2024-25            | Enriching the Fort and Gorge Experience in Gandikota                    |                        77.91 |
| 2.       | Andhra Pradesh    | 2024-25            | Akhanda Godavari- (Havelok Bridge & Pushkar Ghat) in Raja Mahendravaram |                        94.44 |
| 3.       | Arunachal Pradesh | 2024-25            | Siang Adventure & Eco-Retreat in Pasighat                               |                        46.48 |
| 4.       | Assam             | 2024-25            | Assam State Zoo Cum Botanical Garden in Guwahati                        |                        97.12 |
| 5.       | Assam             | 2024-25            | Beautification of Rang Ghar in Sivasagar                                |                        94.76 |
| 6.       | Bihar             | 2024-25            | Development of Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa                             |                        97.61 |
| 7.       | Bihar             | 2024-25            | Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub in Karamchat                    |                        49.51 |
| 8.       | Chhattisgarh      | 2024-25            | Development of Chitrotpala Film City in Raipur                          |                        95.79 |
| 9.       | Chhattisgarh      | 2024-25            | Development of Tribal & Cultural Convention Centre in Raipur            |                        51.87 |
|          | 10.Goa            | 2024-25            | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Ponda                             |                        97.46 |
|          | 11.Goa            | 2024-25            | Townsquare in Porvorim                                                  |                        90.74 |
|          | 12.Gujarat        | 2024-25            | Ecotourism Destination at Kerly (Mokarsagar) in Porbandar               |                        99.5  |
|          | 13.Gujarat        | 2024-25            | Tented City and Convention Centre in Dhordo                             |                        51.56 |

| 14.Jharkhand      | 2024-25   | Eco-Tourism Development of Tilaiyya' in Koderma                                                                   |   34.87 |
|-------------------|-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
| 15.Karnataka      | 2024-25   | Ecotourism & Cultural Hub at Roerich and Devika Rani Estate Tataguni in Bengaluru                                 |   99.17 |
| 16.Karnataka      | 2024-25   | Development of SavadattiYallammagudda in Belgavi                                                                  |  100    |
| 17.Kerala         | 2024-25   | Ashtamudi Biodiversity and Eco- recreational Hub in Kollam                                                        |   59.71 |
| 18.Kerala         | 2024-25   | Global Gateway to Malabar's Cultural Crucible in Sargaalayaa                                                      |   95.34 |
| 19.Madhya Pradesh | 2024-25   | Orchha A Medieval Splendour in Orchha                                                                             |   99.92 |
| 20.Madhya Pradesh | 2024-25   | International Convention Centre for MICE in Bhopal                                                                |   99.38 |
| 21.Maharashtra    | 2024-25   | INS-Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial Reef, and submarine Tourism in Sindhudurg                                |   46.91 |
| 22.Maharashtra    | 2024-25   | Development of RAM-KAL PATH in Nashik                                                                             |   99.14 |
| 23.Manipur        | 2024-25   | Loktak Lake Experience in Loktak                                                                                  |   89.48 |
| 24.Meghalaya      | 2024-25   | MICE Infrastructure in Mawkhanu                                                                                   |   99.27 |
| 25.Meghalaya      | 2024-25   | Redevelopment of Umiam Lake in Shillong                                                                           |   99.27 |
| 26.Odisha         | 2024-25   | Development of Hirakund                                                                                           |   99.9  |
| 27.Odisha         | 2024-25   | Development of Satkosia                                                                                           |   99.99 |
| 28.Punjab         | 2024-25   | Development of Heritage Street as a tribute to Shaheed-e-Azam, Sardar Bhaghat Singh at Khatkar Kalan in SBS Nagar |   53.45 |
| 29.Rajasthan      | 2024-25   | Development at Amber-Nahargarh and Surrounding Area in Jaipur                                                     |   49.31 |
| 30.Rajasthan      | 2024-25   | Development at Jal Mahal in Jaipur                                                                                |   96.61 |
| 31.Sikkim         | 2024-25   | Skywalk, Bhaleydhunga, Yangang in Namchi                                                                          |   97.37 |
| 32.Sikkim         | 2024-25   | Border Experience in Nathula                                                                                      |   68.19 |
| 33.Tamil Nadu     | 2024-25   | Development of Nandavanam Heritage Park in Mammallapuram                                                          |   99.67 |

| 34.Tamil Nadu    | 2024-25   | Eco Park at Race Course in Ooty                          |   70.23 |
|------------------|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------|---------|
| 35.Telangana     | 2024-25   | Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit in Ramappa    |   73.74 |
| 36.Telangana     | 2024-25   | Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat in Nallamala      |   68.1  |
| 37.Tripura       | 2024-25   | Shakti Peethas Park at Banduar in Gomati                 |   97.7  |
| 38.Uttar Pradesh | 2024-25   | Development of Bateshwar in District-Agra                |   74.05 |
| 39.Uttar Pradesh | 2024-25   | Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development in Shrawasti     |   80.24 |
| 40.Uttarakhand   | 2024-25   | Iconic City Rishikesh: Rafting Base Station in Rishikesh |  100    |
|                  |           | Total                                                    | 3295.76 |

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