Lok Sabha Question No. 230 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Redevelopment of Temple Corridors and Pilgrimage Sites
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Smt. Anita Subhadarshini

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.*230 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## REDEVELOPMENT OF TEMPLE CORRIDORS AND PILGRIMAGE SITES

*230.  SMT. ANITA SUBHADARSHINI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the major temple corridor and pilgrimage sites redevelopment projects undertaken or completed during the last two years and the current year in the country, State/UT-wise;
- (b) the  details  of  the  funds  sanctioned,  released  and  utilized  for  these projects during the said period along with its current status;
- (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to balance heritage conservation  with  proper  pilgrim  amenities,  crowd  management  and environmental sustainability;
- (d) the extent to which the said redevelopment initiatives have increased local employment and regional connectivity; and
- (e) the details of the new temple corridor from the State of Odisha to be taken up for development during the year 2026?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM              (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*230 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING REDEVELOPMENT OF TEMPLE CORRIDORS AND PILGRIMAGE SITES RAISED BY SMT.  ANITA SUBHADARSHINI

(a) to (b): The  Ministry  of  Tourism,  through  its  ongoing  Central  Sector Schemes of 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive  (PRASHAD)',  'Swadesh  Darshan  (SD)',  'Swadesh  Darshan    (SD2.0)', 'Challenge Based  Destination Development  (CBDD)',  a  s ub-scheme  of Swadesh  Darshan  2.0  scheme,  'Special  Assistance  to  States  for  Capital Investment  (SASCI)'  and  Assistance  to  Central  Agencies  for  Tourism Infrastructure Development supplements the efforts of the State Government(SG)/ Union Territory (UT) Administration/ Central Agencies by providing  financial  assistance  for  the  development  of  tourism  related infrastructure  in  the  country  including  major  pilgrimage  sites  and  temple corridors.

The  State/UT-wise  list of projects  sanctioned  under  the  abovementioned schemes during the last two years and the current year along with funds sanctioned, released, utilized and their present status are given in the Annexure-I.

(c): Under the above mentioned schemes various interventions have been sanctioned such as queue management complex, waiting halls, cloak room, widening  of  approach  roads,  CCTVs  for  pilgrim  safety,  foot-over  bridges, parking, tourist information centre, basic amenities such as toilets, dustbins, drinking water facilities and other site development works for improving and upgrading overall pilgrim/tourist experience.

To ensure balance between heritage conservation with proper pilgrim amenities, crowd management and environmental sustainability, the projects under the above mentioned schemes are prepared in consultations with  the  respective  State  Governments,  UT  Administrations,  local  bodies, and  other  stake  holders.  In  addition,  factors  such  as  carrying  capacity, footfall,  cultural,  historical  &  heritage  importance  of  the  places,  resident population  are  taken  into  consideration  so  as  to  ensure  sustainable  and responsible tourism.

(d): The  above  mentioned  Schemes  of  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  aims  to rejuvenate  pilgrimage  and  spiritual  experience  of  the  tourists  through availability of well-planned tourism infrastructure enabling tourist convenience, accessibility, cleanliness, last-mile connectivity among others. The development of tourism infrastructure is ensured in a holistic manner with the objective of boosting tourism, generating employment and strengthening the local economy.

(e): No proposal relating to a new temple corridor in the State of Odisha is under  consideration  of  the  Ministry  of  Tourism.  However,  the  Ministry  of Tourism  has  sanctioned  various  tourism  development  projects  in  Odisha amounting to Rs.326.86 Crore, details of which are given in the Annexure-II.

Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations for  financial  assistance  for  tourism  projects  is  a  continuous  process.  The proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribed guidelines and financial assistance is extended for such projects subject to fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.

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STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*230 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING REDEVELOPMENT OF TEMPLE CORRIDORS AND PILGRIMAGE SITES BY SMT. ANITA SUBHADARSHINI

## i. List of Projects sanctioned in last two years and current year under PRASHAD Scheme:

|   S. No. | State/UT       | Name of the Project                                                            | Sanction Year   |   Sanctioned Cost (₹ in Crore) |   Amount Authorized (₹ in Crore) |   Amount Utilized (₹ in Crore) as per UC received | Physical Progress (%)   | Current Status   |
|----------|----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------------|----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|------------------|
|        1 | Karnataka      | Development of Pilgrimage Amenities at Sri Chamundeshw ari Devi Temple, Mysuru | 2023-24         |                          45.38 |                            13.33 |                                                 0 | 3.63%                   | Ongoing          |
|        2 | Andhra Pradesh | Development of Pilgrimage Tourism Infrastructure in Annavaram Temple Town      | 2024-25         |                          25.33 |                             6.74 |                                                 0 | 30.06%                  | Ongoing          |

|   3. | Bihar      | Development of Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran                                         | 2024-25   |   13.29 |   0.00 |   0 | 0%     | Ongoing   |
|------|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|---------|--------|-----|--------|-----------|
|    4 | Goa        | Development of Bom Jesus Basilica                                                   | 2024-25   |   16.46 |   4.68 |   0 | 24.78% | Ongoing   |
|    5 | Karnataka  | Development of RenukaYallama Devi temple                                            | 2024-25   |   18.37 |   0    |   0 | 0%     | Ongoing   |
|    6 | Karnataka  | Development of Basic Amenities at Papnash Temple, Bidar dist.                       | 2024-25   |   22.25 |   6.3  |   0 | 0%     | Ongoing   |
|    7 | Mizoram    | Development of Basic Amenities under PRASHAD scheme in Vangchhia, Champhai District | 2024-25   |    5.47 |   1.56 |   0 | 24.53% | Ongoing   |
|    8 | Puducherry | Development of Pilgrim Facilites& Tourist                                           | 2024-25   |   25.94 |   0    |   0 | 0%     | Ongoing   |

|       |            | attractions for Sri Dharbaranyes wara Temple                        |         |        |       |    |        |          |
|-------|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|--------|-------|----|--------|----------|
| 9.    | Tamil Nadu | Development of 8 Navagraha Temples                                  | 2024-25 |  40.94 |  0    |  0 | 3.19%  | Ongoing  |
| 10.   | Telangana  | Development of Basic Amenities at goddess RenukaYellam aDevasthanam | 2024-25 |   4.22 |  0    |  0 | 27.50% | Ongoin g |
| Total | Total      | Total                                                               | Total   | 217.65 | 32.61 |  0 |        |          |

- ii. List of Projects completed in last two years and current year under PRASHAD Scheme

|   S. No | State/UT   | Name of the Project        | Sancti on Year   | Completion Year   |   Sanction ed Cost (₹ in Crore) |   Amount Authorized (₹ in Crore) |   Amount Utilized (₹ Cr ore) as per UC received | Physical Progress (%)   | Current Status   |
|---------|------------|----------------------------|------------------|-------------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|------------------|
|       1 | Bihar      | Development at Patna Sahib | 2015- 16         | 2023-24           |                           29.62 |                            29.62 |                                           29.62 | 100%                    | Completed        |
|       2 | Meghalaya  | Development of Pilgrimage  | 2020- 21         | 2023-24           |                           29.29 |                            27.78 |                                           27.78 | 100%                    | Completed        |

|    |                 | Facilitation in Meghalaya                                                                  |          |         |       |       |       |      |           |
|----|-----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------|---------|-------|-------|-------|------|-----------|
|  3 | Nagaland        | Development of Pilgrimage Infrastructure in Nagaland                                       | 2018- 19 | 2023-24 | 25.2  | 23.56 | 23.56 | 100% | Completed |
|  4 | Jammu & Kashmir | Development at Hazratbal Shrine, Srinagar                                                  | 2016- 17 | 2024-25 | 40.46 | 34.3  | 34.3  | 100% | Completed |
|  5 | Chhattisgar h   | Development of MaaBamlesh wari Devi Temple, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon District, Chhattisgarh | 2020- 21 | 2024-25 | 48.44 | 40.19 | 31.94 | 100% | Completed |
|  6 | Rajasthan       | Integrated Development of Pushkar/ Ajmer                                                   | 2015- 16 | 2024-25 | 32.64 | 26.11 | 26.11 | 100% | Completed |
|  7 | Uttar Pradesh   | Development of Infrastructure facilities at Govardhan                                      | 2018- 19 | 2024-25 | 37.59 | 34.64 | 30.97 | 100% | Completed |

|   8 | Uttarakhan d   | Augmentation of Pilgrimage Infrastructure Facilities and Gangotri and YamunotriDh am   | 2021- 22   | 2024-25   |   54.36 |   10.22 |   10.22 | Foreclosed   | Foreclosed   |
|-----|----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-----------|---------|---------|---------|--------------|--------------|
|   9 | West Bengal    | Development of Belur Math                                                              | 2016- 17   | 2024-25   |   30.03 |   23.39 |   23.39 | 100%         | Completed    |
|  10 | Madhya Pradesh | Development of Amarkantak                                                              | 2020- 21   | 2025-26   |   49.99 |   42.55 |   34.63 | 100%         | Completed    |
|  11 | Maharasht ra   | Development of Trimbakeshw ar, Nashik                                                  | 2017- 18   | 2025-26   |   45.41 |   38.44 |   38.44 | 100%         | Completed    |
|  12 | Nagaland       | Development of Pilgrimage Tourism Infrastructure at Zunheboto                          | 2022- 23   | 2025-26   |   18.18 |   15.45 |   15.45 | 100%         | Completed    |
|  13 | Sikkim         | Development of Pilgrimage Facilitation at Four Patron Saints, Yuksom                   | 2020- 21   | 2025-26   |   33.32 |   28.31 |   28.31 | 100%         | Completed    |
|  14 | Telangana      | Development of Jogulamba                                                               | 2020- 21   | 2025-26   |   38.9  |   33.07 |   33.07 | 100%         | Completed    |

| Devi Temple, Alampur   |       |        |        |        |
|------------------------|-------|--------|--------|--------|
|                        | Total | 513.43 | 407.63 | 387.79 |

## iii. List of Projects completed in last two years and current year under Swadesh Darshan 1.0 Scheme

|   S. N o. | State/ UT      | Name of the Project         | Sancti on Year   | Completi on Year   |   Sanction ed Cost (₹ Cr.) |   Amount Authoriz ed (₹ Cr.) |   Amont Utilized (₹ Cr.) as per UC receive | Physical Progress (%)   | Current Status   |
|-----------|----------------|-----------------------------|------------------|--------------------|----------------------------|------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------|------------------|
|         1 | Andhra Pradesh | Development of Buddhist     | 2017- 18         | 2023-24            |                      35.24 |                        30.02 |                                      30.02 | 100%                    | Completed        |
|         2 | Kerala         | Development of Sabarimala - | 2016- 17         | 2023-24            |                      46.54 |                        33.39 |                                      33.39 | 100%                    | Completed        |

|    |              | Erumeli-Pampa- Sannidhanam (Spiritual Circuit)                                                                                     |          |         |       |       |       |      |           |
|----|--------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------|---------|-------|-------|-------|------|-----------|
|  3 | Maharash tra | Development of Waki- Adasa- Dhapewada- Paradsingha- Telankhandi- Girad (Spiritual Circuit)                                         | 2018- 19 | 2023-24 | 45.47 | 43.19 | 38.84 | 100% | Completed |
|  4 | Punjab       | Development of Anandpur Sahib - Fatehgarh Sahib - ChamkaurSahib - Ferozpur - Khatkar Kalan - Kalanour - Patiala (Heritage Circuit) | 2018- 19 | 2023-24 | 85.32 | 81.05 | 81.05 | 100% | Completed |
|  5 | Rajasthan    | Development of Govind Dev ji temple (Jaipur), Khatu Shyam Ji (Sikar) and                                                           | 2016- 17 | 2023-24 | 75.8  | 73.85 | 73.85 | 100% | Completed |

|       |               | Nathdwara (Rajsamand) (Krishna Circuit)                                                                                             |          |         |        |        |        |      |           |
|-------|---------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------|---------|--------|--------|--------|------|-----------|
| 6     | Telangana     | Development of QutubShahiHerit age Park- Paigah Tombs- Hayat Bakshi Mosque- Raymond's Tomb (Heritage Circuit)                       | 2017- 18 | 2023-24 |  96.9  |  70.61 |  70.61 | 100% | Completed |
| 7     | Uttar Pradesh | Development of Gorakhnath Temple (Gorakhpur), Devipattan Temple (Balrampur) and Vatvashni Temple (Domariyagunj) (Spiritual Circuit) | 2018- 19 | 2023-24 |  18.3  |  18.12 |  18.12 | 100% | Completed |
| Total | Total         | Total                                                                                                                               | Total    | Total   | 403.57 | 350.23 | 345.88 |      |           |

## iv. List of Projects sanctioned in last two years and current year under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme

|   S. No . | State/ UT        | Destination   | Name of the Experience                                  | Sancti on Year   |   Sanctio ned Cost (₹ Cr ore) |   Amount Authoris ed (₹ Crore) |   Amont Utilized (₹ Cr.) as per UC received | Physical Progress (%)   | Current Status   |
|-----------|------------------|---------------|---------------------------------------------------------|------------------|-------------------------------|--------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|-------------------------|------------------|
|         1 | Madhya Pradesh   | Chitrakoot    | Spiritual experience at Chitrakoot                      | 2023- 24         |                         27.22 |                           2.72 |                                           0 | 2.65%                   | Ongoing          |
|         2 | Rajasthan        | Bundi         | Spiritual Experience, Keshavraipatan                    | 2023- 24         |                         21.65 |                           2.17 |                                           0 | 5.23%                   | Ongoing          |
|         3 | Chhattisg arh    | Kawardha      | BhoramdeoCorr idor Development, Kawardha                | 2024- 25         |                        145.99 |                          14.6  |                                           0 | 0%                      | Ongoing          |
|         4 | Rajasthan        | Sikar         | Development works at Shri Khatu Shyam Ji Temple (Sikar) | 2024- 25         |                         87.87 |                           8.79 |                                           0 | 9.65%                   | Ongoing          |
|         5 | Himachal Pradesh | Chintpurni    | Development of MaaChintpurni Devi Temple, Una           | 2025- 26         |                         56.26 |                           5.63 |                                           0 | 0%                      | Ongoing          |

| 6            | Madhya Pradesh   | Datia                                | Development of PitambaraPeeth Datia                 | 2025- 26     | 44.24        |   4.42 |   0 | 3.59%   | Ongoing   |
|--------------|------------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|--------------|--------------|--------|-----|---------|-----------|
| 7            | Rajasthan        | Bikaner dist.                        | Development Works at Shri Karnimatamand ir, Bikaner | 2025- 26     | 22.58        |   2.26 |   0 | 31.19%  | Ongoing   |
| 8            | Rajasthan        | MalaseriDun gari (District Bhilwara) | Development of MalaseriDungri, Bhilwara District    | 2025- 26     | 48.73        |   4.87 |   0 | 3.66%   | Ongoing   |
| Total 454.54 | Total 454.54     | Total 454.54                         | Total 454.54                                        | Total 454.54 | Total 454.54 |  45.46 |   0 |         |           |

- v. List of Projects sanctioned in last two years and current year under CBDD Scheme
- vi. List of Projects sanctioned in last two years and current year under SASCI Scheme
- vii. List of Projects sanctioned in last two years and current year under ACA Scheme

|   S. No. | State/ UT      | Destination     | Name of the Experience                         | Sancti on Year   |   Sanctioned Cost (₹ Cr ore) |   Amount Authori zed (₹ Crore) |   Amont Utilized (₹ Cr.) as per UC received | Physical Progress (%)   | Current Status   |
|----------|----------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------|------------------------------|--------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|-------------------------|------------------|
|        1 | Andhra Pradesh | Ahobilam Temple | Ahobilam-A spiritual Odyssey                   | 2024- 25         |                        24.99 |                           2.5  |                                           0 | 28.58%                  | Ongoing          |
|        2 | Jharkhand      | RamrekhaD ham   | Tourism Infrastructure Development at Ramrekha | 2024- 25         |                        18.87 |                           1.87 |                                           0 | 0%                      | Ongoing          |

|       |              | Dham, Simdega            | Dham, Simdega                                                                  |          |        |       |    |        |         |
|-------|--------------|--------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------|--------|-------|----|--------|---------|
| 3     | Kerala       | Varkala                  | Varkala- Dakshin Kashi                                                         | 2024- 25 |  25    |  2.5  |  0 | 2.29%  | Ongoing |
| 4     | Punjab       | Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar | Heritage street -A symbol of peace and Harmony at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar | 2024- 25 |  24.9  |  2.49 |  0 | 1.31%  | Ongoing |
| 5     | Uttarakh and | Kainchidham              | Developmen t of Kainchidha m campus, Kainchidha m                              | 2024- 25 |  17.6  |  1.76 |  0 | 19.96% | Ongoing |
| Total | Total        | Total                    | Total                                                                          | Total    | 111.36 | 11.12 |  0 |        |         |

| S. No.   | State   | Name of the Project   | Sanction Year   | Sanctioned Cost (₹ Cr ore)   | Amount Released (₹ Cr ore)   | Amont Utilized (₹ Cr ore) as per   | Physical Progress (%) As per MPR   | Current Status   |
|----------|---------|-----------------------|-----------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------|

|       |               |                                                      |         |        |        | UC received   |        |         |
|-------|---------------|------------------------------------------------------|---------|--------|--------|---------------|--------|---------|
| 1     | Karnataka     | Development of SavadattiYallammag udda in Belgavi    | 2024-25 | 100    |  66    | _             | 0%     | Ongoing |
| 2     | Uttar Pradesh | Development of Bateshwar in District-Agra            | 2024-25 |  74.05 |  48.87 | _             | 26.03% | Ongoing |
| 3     | Uttar Pradesh | Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development in Shrawasti | 2024-25 |  80.24 |  52.96 | 40.71         | 44.61% | Ongoing |
| Total | Total         | Total                                                | Total   | 254.29 | 167.83 | 40.71         |        |         |

| Sn State/ UT   | Implement ing Agency   | Name of the Experience                                          | Sanction Year   |   Sanctioned Cost (₹ Cr ore) |   Amount Authorised (₹ Cr ore) |   Amont Utilized (₹ Cr.) as per UC received | Physical Progress (%)   | Current Status   |
|----------------|------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|------------------------------|--------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|-------------------------|------------------|
| 1. Tamil Nadu  | ITDC                   | Illumination and allied works at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, | 2024-25         |                        11.47 |                              0 |                                           0 | 0%                      | Ongoing          |

|             | District - Ariyalur   |    |             |             |
|-------------|-----------------------|----|-------------|-------------|
| Total 11.47 | Total 11.47           |  0 | Total 11.47 | Total 11.47 |

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## ANNEXURE-II

STATEMENT IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION NO.*230  ANSWERED  ON  09.03.2026  REGARDING  REDEVELOPMENT  OF TEMPLE  CORRIDORS  AND  PILGRIMAGE  SITES  RAISED  BY  SMT.  ANITA SUBHADARSHINI

## i. List of Project sanctioned in Odisha under PRASHAD Scheme

| Name of the Project                | Sanction Year   |   Sanction Cost (Rs. In Crore) | Status     |
|------------------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------------|------------|
| Infrastructure Development at Puri | (2014-15)       |                             50 | Foreclosed |

## ii. List of Project sanctioned in Odisha under Swadesh Darshan Scheme

| Name of the Project                                   | Sanction Year   |   Sanction Cost (Rs. In Crore) | Status   |
|-------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------------|----------|
| Development of Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada and Tampara | (2016-17)       |                          70.82 | Complete |

## iii. List of Projects sanctioned in Odisha under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)

| Name of the Project     | Sanction Year   |   Sanction Cost (Rs. In Crore) | Status   |
|-------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------------|----------|
| Development of Hirakud  | (2024-25)       |                          99.9  | Ongoing  |
| Development of Satkosia | ( 2024-25)      |                          99.99 | Ongoing  |

## iv. List of Project sanctioned in Odisha under Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACA)

| Name of the Project   |   Sanction Cost (Rs. In Crore) | Status   |
|-----------------------|--------------------------------|----------|
| Puri Railway Station  |                           6.15 | Complete |

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