Lok Sabha Question No. 1257 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Identification and Restoration of Heritage Sites
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: B. S. YEDDYURAPPA, KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1257 ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016

## IDENTIFICATION AND RESTORATION OF HERITAGE SITES

## 1257. SHRI B.S. YEDIYURAPPA: SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  implement  any  project  for identification and restoration of heritage sites and tourist spots in the country to attract more tourists;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government for security of these historically important sites;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  received  proposals  from  various State Governments for inclusion of tourist spots in the said project and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  reviewed  the  policy  of  security  for the  domestic  and  foreign  tourists  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government is considering to formulate new National Ranking  System  for  tourist  spots  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (c): For development of tourism infrastructure including heritage sites  and  tourist  spots  in  the  country,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  has introduced  two  new  schemes  in  2014-15  i.e.  Swadesh  Darshan  Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits and PRASADPilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive. Under Swadesh Darshan scheme thirteen thematic circuits have been identified, namely: North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit,  Coastal  Circuit,  Krishna  Circuit,  Desert  Circuit,  Tribal  Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit,  Rural Circuit, Spiritual  Circuit,    Ramayana Circuit  &  Heritage  Circuit  and  under  PRASAD  scheme  also,  thirteen cities  have  been  identified  for  development,  namely:  Amritsar,  Ajmer, Dwarka, Mathura, Varanasi, Gaya, Puri, Amravati, Kanchipuram, Vellankanni, Kedarnath, Kamakhya and Patna.

The security of historical sites in the country is the responsibility of the respective State Governments. The details of projects sanctioned under both the schemes are annexed.

(d):   In order to ensure the safety and security of domestic and foreign tourists in the country, the Ministry of Tourism has taken the following steps:

- (i)     The  Ministry  has  launched  the  24x7  Toll  Free  Multi-Lingual Tourist  Helpline  in  12  languages  including  Hindi  &  English on 08.02.2016.    This  service  is  available  on  the  toll  free number  1800111363 or  on a  short  code 1363.  The  Helpline provides  support  service  in  terms  of  providing  information relating to Travel & Tourism in the country  and  assist the callers  with  advice  on  action  to  be  taken  during  times  of distress  while  travelling  in  India  and  if  need  be,  alert  the concerned authorities.
- (ii)     All the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations have been asked to take immediate effective steps for ensuring a conducive and friendly environment for all tourists.
- (iii)    The Ministry has granted Central Financial Assistance to the State  Governments of  Rajasthan,  Uttar  Pradesh and  Andhra Pradesh  for  setting  up  of  Tourist  Facilitation  and  Security Organization (TFSO) on pilot basis.
- (iv)    In the wake of some unfortunate incidents happening involving foreign tourists, Ministry regularly posts an advisory on  its  website www.incredibleindia.org for  the  safety  and security of women tourists.
- (v)     The  Ministry  has  formulated  the  Guidelines  on  Safety  and Security of Tourists for the State Governments/Union Territories  and  Tips  for  Travellers.   These  guidelines  have been offered to State Government/Union Territories and other relevant  authorities  to  stress  the  importance  of  Safety and risk  management,  assist  in  identifying  best  practices  and encourage closer cooperation of various agencies.

(e):  The  Ministry  has  no  scheme  for  ranking  of  tourist  spots  in  the country.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO PARTS  (a) TO (c) OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1257 ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016 REGARDING IDENTIFICATION AND RESTORATION OF HERITAGE SITES.

## List of Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme

Year: 2014-15

(Rs. in Crore)

| Sl. No.   | Name of the Circuit       | State             | Name of the Project                                                                                          |   Amount Sanctioned |
|-----------|---------------------------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
| 1.        | North- East India Circuit | Arunachal Pradesh | Development of Mega Circuit at Bhalukpong-Bomdila and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh                            |               50    |
| 2.        | Buddhist Circuit          | Bihar             | Construction of Cultural Centre adjacent to Maya Sarovar on the western side at Bodhgaya, Bihar              |               33.17 |
| 3.        | Coastal Circuit           | Andhra Pradesh    | Development of Kakinada Hope Island Konaseema as World Class Coastal & Eco Tourism Circuit in Andhra Pradesh |               69.83 |
|           |                           |                   | Total                                                                                                        |              153    |

Year  2015-16

(Rs. in Crore)

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Circuit       | State   | Name of the Project                                                                                                                        |   Amt. Sanctioned |
|-----------|---------------------------|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
|         1 | North- East India Circuit | Manipur | Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal- Moirang- Khongjom-Moreh.                                                                |             89.66 |
|         2 | North- East India Circuit | Sikkim  | Development of Tourist Circuit linking Rangpo (entry) - Rorathang-Aritar- Phadamchen- Nathang- Sherathang-Tsongmo- Gangtok-Phodong-Mangan- |             98.05 |

|    |                  |                | Lachung-Yumthang-Lachen- Thangu-Gurudongmer- Mangan- Gangtok-Tumin Lingee-Singtam (exit) in Sikkim.                                                                                             |       |
|----|------------------|----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
|  3 | Eco Circuit      | Uttarakhand    | Integrated Development of Eco-Tourism, Adventure Sports, Associated Tourism related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings as New Destination-District Tehri, Uttarakhand. | 80.37 |
|  4 | Desert Circuit   | Rajasthan      | Development of Sambhar Lake Town and Other Destinations in Rajasthan under Desert Circuit in Swadesh Darshan Scheme.                                                                            | 63.96 |
|  5 | Tribal Circuit   | Nagaland       | Development of Tribal Circuit Peren- Kohima-Wokha, Nagaland                                                                                                                                     | 97.36 |
|  6 | Wildlife Circuit | Madhya Pradesh | Development of Wildlife Circuit at Panna-Mukundpur- Sanjay-Dubri-Bandhavgarh- Kanha-Mukki-Pench in Madhya Pradesh under Swadesh Darshan scheme.                                                 | 92.22 |
|  7 | Coastal Circuit  | Andhra Pradesh | Development of Coastal Tourism Circuit in Sri Potti Sriramalu Nellore under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in Andhra Pradesh.                                                                           | 60.38 |
|  8 | Eco Circuit      | Telangana      | Integrated Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district, Telangana under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.                                                                                | 91.62 |
|  9 | Eco Circuit      | Kerala         | Development of Pathanamthitta - Gavi - Vagamon - Thekkady as Eco Tourism Circuit in Idduki and Parhanamthitta Districts in                                                                      | 99.22 |

|    |                          |                   | Kerala under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.                                                                                                                                                          |       |
|----|--------------------------|-------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
| 10 | North East India Circuit | Mizoram           | Integrated Development of New Eco Tourism under Swadesh Darshan - North East Circuit at Thenzawl & South Zote, District Serchhip and Reiek, Mizoram.                                          | 94.91 |
| 11 | Wildlife Circuit         | Assam             | Development of Manas - Probitora - Nameri - Kaziranga - Dibru - Saikhowa as Wildlife Circuit in Assam.                                                                                        | 95.67 |
| 12 | Coastal Circuit          | Puducherry        | Development of Union Territory of Puducherry as Tourist Circuit under 'Swadesh Darshan' Scheme (Coastal Circuit)                                                                              | 85.28 |
| 13 | North East India Circuit | Arunachal Pradesh | Integrated Development of New Adventure Tourism in Arunachal Pradesh                                                                                                                          | 97.14 |
| 14 | North East India Circuit | Tripura           | Development of North East Circuit : Agartala - Sipahijala - Melaghar - Udaipur - Amarpur - Tirthamukh - Mandirghat - Dumboor- NarikelKunja - Gandachara - Ambassa in Tripura                  | 99.59 |
| 15 | Coastal Circuit          | West Bengal       | Development of Beach Circuit - Udaipur - Digha - Shankarpur - Tajpur - Mandarmani - Fraserganj - Bakkhlai -Henry Island in West Bengal                                                        | 85.39 |
| 16 | Tribal Circuit           | Chhattisgarh      | Development of Tribal Tourism Circuit in Jashpur- Kunkuri-Mainpat- Ambikapur- Maheshpur -Ratanpur-Kurdar- Sarodadadar Gangrel- Kondagaon - Nathyanawagaon -Jagdalpur Chitrakoot -Tirthgarh in | 99.94 |

|     |                 |             | Chhattisgarh under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.                                             |         |
|-----|-----------------|-------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
| 17. | Coastal Circuit | Maharashtra | Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit in Maharashtra under Swadesh Darshan Scheme. |   82.17 |
|     |                 |             | Total                                                                                  | 1512.93 |

## List of Projects sanctioned under PRASAD Scheme

(Rs. in crore)

| Sl. No.   | Name of the project                                                                                                | Amount sanctioned   |
|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|           | 2014-15                                                                                                            |                     |
| 1.        | Basic Facilities at Vishnupad temple, Gaya                                                                         | 4.29                |
| 2.        | Development of Mathura Vrindavan as Mega Tourist Circuit (Phase-II).                                               | 14.93               |
| 3.        | Tourist Facilitation Centre at Vrindavan                                                                           | 9.36                |
| 4.        | Infrastructure Development at Puri, Shree Jagannath Dham-Ramachandi-Prachi River Front at Deuli under Mega Circuit | 50.00               |
|           | Total                                                                                                              | 78.58               |
|           | 2015-16                                                                                                            |                     |
| 1.        | Development of Karuna Sagar Valmiki Sthal at Amritsar                                                              | 6.45                |
| 2.        | Integrated Development of Pushkar/ Ajmer                                                                           | 40.44               |
| 3.        | Development of Kamakhya                                                                                            | 33.98               |
| 4.        | Development of Amaravati                                                                                           | 28.36               |
| 5.        | Development at Patna Sahib                                                                                         | 41.53               |
| 6.        | Development of Varanasi                                                                                            | 20.40               |
| 7.        | Development of Kedarnath                                                                                           | 34.78               |
|           | Total                                                                                                              | 205.94              |

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