Lok Sabha Question No. 232 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Development of Tourism in Konaseema, Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri G M Harish Balayogi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*232 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN KONASEEMA, ANDHRA PRADESH

*232. SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  tourism  destinations  identified  and  promoted  by  the Government  in  Dr.  B.R.  Ambedkar  Konaseema  district  of  Andhra Pradesh, category-wise including eco-tourism, river tourism, coastal tourism and cultural heritage tourism;
- (b) the details of the funds allocated, released and utilised for tourism infrastructure development in the said district under Central tourism schemes and assistance programmes during the last three years and the current year, year-wise;
- (c) the  details  of  the  number  of  domestic  and  foreign  tourist  footfalls recorded in the district during the said period, year-wise; and
- (d) the  details  of  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to improve connectivity, amenities, livelihood-linked tourism and private sector  participation  in  the  said  district  to  enhance  its  tourism potential?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

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

*******

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*232 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN KONASEEMA, ANDHRA PRADESH RAISED BY SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI

(a) to (d): Development and promotion of tourism is primarily done by the concerned  State  Government  (SG)/UT  Administration  (UTA).  However, Ministry of Tourism under its various schemes such as Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development-  CBDD  (an  initiative  under  Swadesh  Darshan),  Pilgrimage Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual  Heritage  Augmentation  Drive  (PRASHAD)  etc. provides financial assistance for development of tourism infrastructure and experiences  in  the  country  to  the  SGs/UTAs;  on  receipt  of  the  project proposals from them, in synergy with the scheme guidelines, Government directions,  availability  of  funds,  inter-se  priority  etc.  The  details  of  the projects  sanctioned  in  the  state  of  Andhra  Pradesh  under  SD,  which includes  development  works  at  Dr.  B.R.  Ambedkar  Konaseema  district, SD2.0, CBDD and PRASHAD schemes is annexed.

Further,  Government  of  India  in  2024-25  sanctioned  the  projects 'Enriching the Fort and Gorge Experience in Gandikota' for Rs. 77.91 Crore and 'Akhanda Godavair (Havelok Bridge & Pushkar Ghat) in Raja Mahendravarman' for Rs.94.44 Crore in the State of Andhra Pradesh under its  initiative  for  'Special  Assistance  to  States  for  Capital  Investment (SASCI)-Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale'.

Ministry of Tourism holistically promotes various tourism destinations and  products  of  the  country  including  those  in  Andhra  Pradesh  through various promotional tools such as website, events, social media etc.

The details of the domestic and foreign tourist footfalls recorded in the district as informed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh is as under:

|   Year | Domestic    |   International | Total       |
|--------|-------------|-----------------|-------------|
|   2023 | 1,22,57,873 |             403 | 1,22,58,276 |
|   2024 | 1,16,99,706 |             469 | 1,17,00,175 |
|   2025 | 1,44,75,779 |             525 | 1,44,76,304 |

Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  has  also  informed  that  it  has  also taken several steps to enhance tourism potential in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema District through improvement of connectivity, tourism amenities,  livelihood-based  initiatives  and  promotion  of  private  sector participation. Road connectivity to major tourism destinations in the district is strengthened through National Highway and State Highway networks and regular maintenance and upgradation of tourism infrastructure and visitor facilities are undertaken at key destinations.

Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation's Haritha Resort at Dindi  is  maintained  and  operated  to  provide  quality  accommodation, restaurant and tourism services to visitors. To promote community based tourism and local livelihood, Government of Andhra Pradesh has identified more than 150 houses for development as homestays in Konaseema region including  holding  sensitization  programmes  and  basic  training  to  house owners.

In  addition,  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  is  encouraging  private participation  through  Andhra  Pradesh  Tourism  2024-29  policy  initiatives, promotion of homestays, boating operations, tourism related services etc. It also organizes multiple events in the district and undertakes social media promotions to encourage tourism. ********

ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO . *232 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN KONASEEMA, ANDHRA PRADESH RAISED BY SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI

## (i) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the State of Andhra Pradesh:

(Amount in ₹ Crore)

|   S . No. | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |   Sanctioned Cost |   Amount Released / Authorized |   Amount Utilised |
|-----------|---------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|--------------------------------|-------------------|
|         1 | Coastal Circuit 2014-15   | Development of Kakinada - Hope Island - Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary - Passarlapudi - Aduru - S Yanam - Kotipally (Includes works sanctioned for Rs. 2.68 Crore at Passarlapudi, Rs. 3.87 Crore at Adurru, 0.57 Crore at S Yanam and 2.06 Crore at |             67.83 |                          67.83 |             67.83 |
|         2 | Coastal Circuit 2015-16   | Development of Nellore - Pulikat Lake - UbblamaduguWater Falls - Nelapattu- Kothakoduru- Mypadu - Ramateertham - Iskapalli                                                                                                                       |             49.55 |                          49.55 |             49.55 |

| 3.   | Buddhist Circuit 2017-18   | Development of Buddhist Circuit: Shalihundam- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda - Amravati- Anupu   |   35.24 |   30.02 |   30.02 |
|------|----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------|---------|
|      |                            | Total                                                                                     |  152.62 |   147.4 |   147.4 |

## (ii) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2 . 0 Scheme in the State of Andhra Pradesh:

(Amount in ₹ Crore)

| S. No.   | Year of Sanction   | Destination       | Name of the Experience                     |   Sanctioned Cost |   Amount Authorized for utilization |
|----------|--------------------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------------------------|
| 1.       | 2024-25            | Bapatala          | Development of Suryalanka Beach Experience |             97.52 |                                9.75 |
| 2.       | 2023-24            | Araku- Lambasingi | Borra Cave Experience at Araku             |             29.88 |                                2.99 |
|          |                    |                   | Total                                      |            127.4  |                               12.74 |

## (iii) Details  of  Project  sanctioned  under  Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme in the State of Andhra Pradesh:

(Amount in ₹ Crore)

|   S. No. | Project Name                                                            | Sanction Year   |   Sanction Amount |   Amount Released |   Amount Utilised |
|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
|        1 | Development of Amaravati Town, Guntur District as a Tourist Destination | 2015-16         |             27.77 |             27.77 |             27.77 |
|        2 | Development of Srisailam Temple                                         | 2017-18         |             43.08 |             43.08 |             43.08 |
|        3 | Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narsimha Swami                                       | 2022-23         |             54.04 |             27.37 |             27.37 |

|    | VariDevasthanam at Simhachalam in Vishakhapatnam Temple                   |         |        |        |       |
|----|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|--------|--------|-------|
| 4. | Development of Pilgrimage Tourism Infrastructure in Annavaram Temple Town | 2024-25 |  25.33 |   6.74 |  0    |
|    |                                                                           | Total   | 150.22 | 104.96 | 98.22 |

(iv) Details  of  Project  sanctioned  under  Challenge  Based  Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme in the State of Andhra Pradesh:

(Amount in ₹ Crore)

| S . No .   | Year of Sanction   | Name of the Project                                                     | Category                             |   Sanctioned Cost |   Amount Authorized for utilization |
|------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------------------------|
| 1.         | 2024-25            | Enriching Buddhist Heritage and Cultural Experiences at Nagarjuna Sagar | Nagarjuna Sagar (Culture & Heritage) |             25    |                                 2.5 |
| 2.         | 2024-25            | Development of Abhobilam as a Spiritual Odyssey                         | Ahobilam Temple (Spiritual Tourism)  |             24.99 |                                 2.5 |
|            |                    |                                                                         | Total                                |             49.99 |                                 5   |

*****