Lok Sabha Question No. 1354 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Development of Iconic Tourist Sites
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1354 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## DEVELOPMENT OF ICONIC TOURIST SITES

## 1354. DR. RAJ KUMAR CHABBEWAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the tourist destinations selected as 'Iconic Tourist Sites' by  the  Government  along  with  the  criteria/norms  adopted  for  the selection of these destinations;
- (b) the total expenditure to be incurred on the project, the time frame and the  benefits  likely  to  be  accrued  to  the  tourism  industry  from  this initiative of the Government;
- (c) whether the Government intend to expand the list of tourist destinations to be developed as Iconic Tourist Sites in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise especially in Punjab and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (d): Development and promotion of tourism destinations and products is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government (SG)/Union Territory Administration (UTA).

Government of India under its 'Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) -Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale' sanctioned 40 projects in 23 States for ₹3295.76 Crore including Punjab in Financial Year 2024-25, with the primary objective to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding and marketing them at global scale. The projects were identified based on the proposals received from the concerned State Government and parameters formalized in this regard. The projects under SASCI initiative are being implemented by the respective State Governments and funds for this purpose have been sanctioned / released by the  Department  of  Expenditure  to  the  respective  State  Governments.  The details of the projects sanctioned under this scheme in the country including Punjab along with the fund released is annexed.

Presently, there is no proposal to sanction more number of projects under SASCI  scheme.  However,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  under  its  central  sector schemes of Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) & its subscheme of 'Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)' and 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)' provides financial assistance the State Governments / UT Administrations for development  of  tourism  infrastructure  and  experiences  in  the  country  on receipt  of  the  project  proposals  from  the  concerned  SGs/UTAs  under  the relevant  schemes  in  synergy  with  the  scheme  guidelines,  Government instructions, availability of funds etc. Accordingly, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 76 projects for ₹5290.33 Crore under SD, 53 projects for ₹2208.27 Crore under SD2.0, 36 projects for ₹648.11 Crore under CBDD and 54 projects for ₹1726.74 Crore in PRASHAD scheme in the country including the state of Punjab.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1354 ANSWERED ON 08 . 12 . 2025 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF ICONIC TOURIST SITES RAISED BY DR. RAJ KUMAR CHABBEWAL

Details of Project sanctioned under 'Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) -Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale' scheme:

|   S. No. | State                  | Year of Sanction         | Name of the Project                                                      |   Sanctioned Cost (₹ Crores) | Amount Released 66% (₹ Crores)   |
|----------|------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------------|
|        1 | Andhra Pradesh 2024-25 | Enriching the fort Gorge | and Experience in Gandikota                                              |                        77.91 | 113.75                           |
|        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 | 30.67                            |
|        4 | Assam                  | 2024-25                  | Assam State Zoo Cum Botanical Garden in Guwahati                         |                        97.12 | 126.64                           |
|        5 | Assam                  | 2024-25                  | Beautification of Rang Ghar in Sivasagar                                 |                        94.76 | 126.64                           |
|        6 | Bihar                  | 2024-25                  | Development of Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa                              |                        97.61 | 97.09                            |
|        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 | 97.45                            |

|   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 | 124.21 |
|   11 | Goa            | 2024-25   | Townsquare in Porvorim                                                            |   90.74 | 124.21 |
|   12 | Gujarat        | 2024-25   | Ecotourism Destination at Kerly (Mokarsagar) in Porbandar                         |   99.5  |  99.69 |
|   13 | Gujarat        | 2024-25   | Tented City and Convention Centre in Dhordo                                       |   51.56 |  99.69 |
|   14 | Jharkhand      | 2024-25   | Eco-Tourism Development of Tilaiyya' in Koderma                                   |   34.87 |  23.01 |
|   15 | Karnataka      | 2024-25   | Ecotourism & Cultural Hub at Roerich and Devika Rani Estate Tataguni in Bengaluru |   99.17 | 131.45 |
|   16 | Karnataka      | 2024-25   | Development of Savadatti Yallammagudda in Belgavi                                 |  100    | 131.45 |
|   17 | Kerala         | 2024-25   | Ashtamudi Biodiversity and Eco-recreational Hub in Kollam                         |   59.71 | 102.33 |
|   18 | Kerala         | 2024-25   | Global Gateway to Malabar's Cultural Crucible in Sargaalayaa                      |   95.34 | 102.33 |
|   19 | Madhya Pradesh | 2024-25   | Orchha A Medieval Splendour in Orchha                                             |   99.92 | 131.53 |
|   20 | Madhya Pradesh | 2024-25   | International Convention Centre for MICE in Bhopal                                |   99.38 | 131.53 |
|   21 | Maharashtra    | 2024-25   | INS-Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial Reef,                                    |   46.91 |  96.39 |

|    |             |         | and submarine Tourism in Sindhudurg                                                                               |       |        |
|----|-------------|---------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|--------|
| 22 | Maharashtra | 2024-25 | Development of RAM-KAL PATH in Nashik                                                                             | 99.14 |        |
| 23 | Manipur     | 2024-25 | Loktak Lake Experience in Loktak                                                                                  | 89.48 | 59.05  |
| 24 | Meghalaya   | 2024-25 | MICE Infrastructure in Mawkhanu                                                                                   | 99.27 | 131.03 |
| 25 | Meghalaya   | 2024-25 | Redevelopment of Umiam Lake in Shillong                                                                           | 99.27 | 131.03 |
| 26 | Odisha      | 2024-25 | Development of Hirakund                                                                                           | 99.9  | 131.92 |
| 27 | Odisha      | 2024-25 | Development of Satkosia                                                                                           | 99.99 | 131.92 |
| 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 | 35.27  |
| 29 | Rajasthan   | 2024-25 | Development at Amber- Nahargarh and Surrounding Area in Jaipur                                                    | 49.31 | 96.30  |
| 30 | Rajasthan   | 2024-25 | Development at Jalmahal in Jaipur                                                                                 | 96.61 | 96.30  |
| 31 | Sikkim      | 2024-25 | Skywalk, Bhaleydhunga, Yangang in Namchi                                                                          | 97.37 | 109.26 |
| 32 | Sikkim      | 2024-25 | Border Experience in Nathula                                                                                      | 68.19 | 109.26 |
| 33 | Tamil Nadu  | 2024-25 | Development of Nandavanam Heritage Park in Mammallapuram                                                          | 99.67 | 112.13 |
| 34 | Tamil Nadu  | 2024-25 | Eco Park at Race Course in Ooty                                                                                   | 70.23 | 112.13 |
| 35 | Telangana   | 2024-25 | Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit in Ramappa                                                             | 73.74 | 93.61  |

| 36. Telangana     | 2024-25   | Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat in Nallamala      |         | 68.10   |          |
|-------------------|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------|----------|
| 37. Tripura       | 2024-25   | Shakti Peethas Park at Banduar in Gomati                 | 97.70   |         | 64.48    |
| 38. Uttar Pradesh | 2024-25   | Development of Bateshwar in District- Agra               |         | 74.05   | 101.83   |
| 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 |         | 100.00  | 66.00    |
|                   | TOTAL     |                                                          | 3295.76 |         | 2,175.09 |

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