Lok Sabha Question No. 5844 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Development of Tourism in Puducherry
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Ve Vaithilingam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5844 ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026

## DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN PUDUCHERRY

## 5844. SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has undertaken a comprehensive assessment of  Puducherry's tourism potential, including heritage tourism, coastal tourism, spiritual centres, French colonial architecture and eco-tourism assets;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  tourism  infrastructure  investments,  marketing initiatives,  heritage  conservation  grants  and  employment  generation outcomes linked to tourism development in Puducherry; and
- (c) the  details  of  policy  initiatives  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the Government  to  promote  sustainable  tourism,  enhance  connectivity, preserve  cultural  heritage  and  position  Puducherry  as  a  globally competitive tourism destination?

## ANSWER

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (c): Development and promotion of tourism destinations and products including assessment of tourism potential in respect of its heritage, coastal, spiritual  tourism  potential  etc.  is  primarily  undertaken  by  the  concerned State Governments (SGs)/Union Territory Administrations (UTAs).

However,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  through  its  schemes  of  'Swadesh Darshan (SD)', 'Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)', 'Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)' a subscheme of SD2.0, and 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and  Spiritual,  Heritage  Augmentation  Drive (PRASHAD)'  complements  the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT  Administrations;  subject to adherence  to  scheme  guidelines,  submission  of  Detailed  Project  Reports (DPRs) by them, availability of funds, Government directions, inter-se priority

etc. The details of project sanctioned by the Ministry under SD, SD2.0, CBDD and PRASHAD in Puducherry is annexed. A range of components which may enhance tourism facilitation at the destinations are considered for sanctioning by Ministry of Tourism under its schemes, as per project requirement including those related to tourism core products, tourism activities, safety, sanitation, connectivity, parking, general site development, soft interventions etc. The Ministry encourages State Governments/UT Administrations to engage with local communities and ensure robust operation & management (O&M) of completed projects so as  to  increase  footfall,  generate  local  employment  and  enhance  overall tourist satisfaction. In addition, Ministry of Tourism  through  its multiple initiatives holistically  promotes  various  tourism  destinations  and  products  of  the country including heritage, culture tourism. Such promotions are undertaken through  different  marketing  initiatives  undertaken  on  various  platforms, events, websites, social media promotions etc. Government  of  Puducherry  has  informed  that  it  has  prepared  a comprehensive destination master plan for development of tourism potential including Culture & Heritage, Coastal, Spiritual and Eco-tourism aspects.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5844 ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN PUDUCHERRY RAISED BY SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM

The details of the projects sanctioned under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, and PRASHAD in Puducherry:

| Scheme              | Name of the project                                                                                                               | Year of Sanction/ Circuit   |   Sanction Amount (in ₹ Cr) |
|---------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
| SD                  | Development of Dubrayapet - Arikamedu - Veerampattinam - Chunnambar - Nallavadu /Narambai - Manapet- Kalapet - Puducherry - Yanam | Coastal Circuit 2015-16     |                       58.44 |
|                     | Development of Franco- Tamil Village, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam                                                                    | Heritage Circuit 2017-18    |                       49.44 |
|                     | Development of Spiritual Circuit in Puducherry                                                                                    | Spiritual Circuit 2017-18   |                       34.96 |
| Swadesh Darshan 2.0 | Karaikal beach and waterfront experience                                                                                          | 2023-24                     |                       20.3  |
| CBDD                | Development of White Town                                                                                                         | 2024-25                     |                       22.19 |
| PRASHAD             | Development of Pilgrim Facilites& Tourist attractions for Sri Dharbaranyeswara Temple                                             | 2024-25                     |                       25.94 |

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