Lok Sabha Question No. 1183 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Challenge based Destination Development component under SDS 2.0
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Eswarasamy K

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1183

## ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## CHALLENGE BASED DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT COMPONENT UNDER SDS 2.0

## 1183. SHRI ESWARASAMY K:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  proposals  received  and  sanctioned  under  the Challenge-based  Destination  Development  component  of  Swadesh Darshan 2.0, year and State/UT-wise;
- (b) the criteria adopted for the selection of destinations and the process for evaluating the submitted proposals;
- (c) the  total  financial  allocation  and  amount  released  for  projects sanctioned under this component since its inception; and
- (d) whether any steps have been taken to ensure convergence with other central schemes and promote destination sustainability and if so, the
- details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

## ANSWER

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and tourism products  is  primarily  undertaken  by  the  respective  State  Government  / Union  Territory  (UT)  Administration.  However,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism through its central sector schemes of 'Swadesh Darshan (SD)',  'Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) ', 'Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)' a subscheme  of  SD2.0,  'Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual,  Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)' and 'Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA) for Tourism Infrastruct ure Development' complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies; subject to adherence to scheme  guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), availability of funds, inter-se priority etc.

In  addition,  Government  of  India  under  its  initiative  for  'Special Assistance  to  States  for  Capital  Investment  (SASCI)'  has  also  provided financial assistance to the States for development of tourism projects. Under the  Challenge-Based Destination  Development (CBDD)  a  subscheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0, proposals are submitted by the concerned SGs/UTAs in response to notifications issued by the Ministry. Selection of destinations under the CBDD component is carried out as per the criteria notified  in  the  scheme  guidelines.  These  criteria  include  parameters relating to destination readiness, tourism potential, institutional arrangements, community engagement, environmental considerations and overall coherence of the proposal. Evaluation of proposals is undertaken through the structured assessment process defined in the guidelines. Under the scheme, Ministry encourages the SG/UT to adopt convergence across connectivity, civic infrastructure, local mobility, skill development,  products  and  experience  being  developed  with  relevant initiatives of Central Ministries/Departments or the concerned SG/UT at the destinations. The details of the projects sanctioned under the CBDD scheme in the country along with sanction and authorized amount since its inception is annexed.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1183 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025 REGARDING CHALLENGE BASED DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT COMPONENT UNDER SDS 2.0 RAISED BY SHRI ESWARASAMY K

Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development scheme:

(Amount in ₹ Crore)

|   S. No. | State/UT          | Year of Sanction   | Name of the Project                                                     | Category                             |   Sanctioned Amount |   Amount Authorized |
|----------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|---------------------|---------------------|
|        1 | Andhra Pradesh    | 2024-25            | Ahobilam-A spiritual Odyssey                                            | Spiritual Tourism                    |               25    |                2.5  |
|        2 | Andhra Pradesh    | 2024-25            | Enriching Buddhist Heritage and Cultural Experiences at Nagarjuna Sagar | Culture & Heritage                   |               25    |                2.5  |
|        3 | Arunachal Pradesh | 2024-25            | Bichom Dam Adventure & Eco-Tourism Project                              | Ecotouri sm and Amrit Dharohar Sites |                9.9  |                0.99 |
|        4 | Arunachal Pradesh | 2024-25            | Kibhito Frontier Tourism - Gateway to Serenity                          | Vibrant Village Program me           |                4.96 |                0.5  |
|        5 | Assam             | 2024-25            | Panidhing Bird Sanctuary, Sivasagar                                     | Ecotouri sm and Amrit Dharohar Sites |                9.99 |                1    |
|        6 | Bihar             | 2024-25            | Development of Tourist Facilities at Sonepur                            | Culture & Heritage                   |               24.29 |                2.43 |

|    |                  |         | Mela Ground, Saran                                                                                |                                      |       |      |
|----|------------------|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|-------|------|
|  7 | Chhattisgarh     | 2024-25 | Development of MayaliBagic ha as Eco Tourism Destination                                          | Ecotouri sm and Amrit Dharohar Sites |  9.97 | 1    |
|  8 | Goa              | 2024-25 | Beautificatio n and Development of Harvalem Waterfall at Mayem Village                            | Ecotouri sm and Amrit Dharohar Sites |  9.81 | 0.98 |
|  9 | Gujarat          | 2024-25 | Transformati on of sharmishtha Lake: Light & culture at Vadnagar                                  | Culture & Heritage                   | 17.29 | 1.73 |
| 10 | Gujarat          | 2024-25 | The Sacred Ocean Retreat at Harsiddhi Shore, Porbandar                                            | Spiritual Tourism                    | 24.66 | 2.47 |
| 11 | Gujarat          | 2024-25 | THOL: Transformati ve Tourism' Harmonious Sustainabilit y, Optimized Skilling' Leading Technology | Ecotouri sm and Amrit Dharohar Sites |  9.96 | 1    |
| 12 | Himachal Pradesh | 2024-25 | Tourism Infrastructur e Development at Kaza                                                       | Culture & Heritage                   | 24.82 | 2.48 |

|   13 | Himachal Pradesh   | 2024-25   | Tourism Infrastructur e Development at Rakchham, Chhitkul                                             | Vibrant Village Program me           |   4.96 |   0.50 |
|------|--------------------|-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------|--------|
|   14 | Jharkhand          | 2024-25   | Tourism Infrastructur e Development at Ramrekha Dham, Simdega                                         | Spiritual Tourism                    |  18.87 |   1.89 |
|   15 | Kerala             | 2024-25   | Thalassery: The Spiritual Nexus                                                                       | Spiritual Tourism                    |  25    |   2.5  |
|   16 | Kerala             | 2024-25   | Varkala- Dakshin Kashi                                                                                | Culture & Heritage                   |  25    |   2.5  |
|   17 | Ladakh             | 2024-25   | Advancing Mushkoh as a Sustainable Tourism Hub: Integrating wildlife Sightings and community progress | Ecotouri sm and Amrit Dharohar Sites |   9.82 |   0.98 |
|   18 | Madhya Pradesh     | 2024-25   | Medieval Splendor 2.0, Orchha                                                                         | Spiritual Tourism                    |  25    |   2.5  |
|   19 | Maharashtra        | 2024-25   | Development of Ahmednagar Fort                                                                        | Culture & Heritage                   |  25    |   2.5  |
|   20 | Manipur            | 2024-25   | Development of Ancient capital of Manipur,                                                            | Culture & Heritage                   |  24.69 |   2.47 |

|    |            |         | LangthabalK onug                                                               |                                      |       |      |
|----|------------|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|-------|------|
| 21 | Meghalaya  | 2024-25 | Mawphlang cultural & Heritage centre                                           | Culture & Heritage                   | 24.87 | 2.49 |
| 22 | Meghalaya  | 2024-25 | Nartiang Spiritual & Cultural Centre                                           | Spiritual Tourism                    | 24.87 | 2.49 |
| 23 | Nagaland   | 2024-25 | Soulful Trails: The Impur Heritage Experience, Impur Village                   | Spiritual Tourism                    | 24.94 | 2.49 |
| 24 | Nagaland   | 2024-25 | Development of wings over Doyang: An Eco-Tourism Haven' Doyang Reservoir       | Ecotouri sm and Amrit Dharohar Sites | 10    | 1    |
| 25 | Puducherry | 2024-25 | Development of White Town                                                      | Culture & Heritage                   | 22.19 | 2.22 |
| 26 | Punjab     | 2024-25 | Cultural and Heritage Strech at Hussainiwal a Border, Ferozepur                | Culture & Heritage                   | 25    | 2.5  |
| 27 | Punjab     | 2024-25 | Heritage street -A Symbol of peace and Harmony at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar | Spiritual Tourism                    | 24.9  | 2.49 |
| 28 | Sikkim     | 2024-25 | Echoes of Valor: The                                                           | Vibrant Village                      |  5    | 0.5  |

|    |               |         | Gnathang Valley Experience," Gnathang Village                       | Program me                           |       |      |
|----|---------------|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|-------|------|
| 29 | Sikkim        | 2024-25 | Kabi Chronicles: A journey through Unity and Heritage, Kabi, Mangan | Spiritual Tourism                    | 24.96 | 2.5  |
| 30 | Tamil Nadu    | 2024-25 | lconic Transformati on of Rameswara m                               | Spiritual Tourism                    | 20.01 | 2    |
| 31 | Telangana     | 2024-25 | Digital Experience Centre at Bhuddhavan am in Nalgonda              | Culture & Heritage                   | 24.85 | 2.48 |
| 32 | Telangana     | 2024-25 | Development of Eco- Tourism Project at Nizam Sagar, Kamareddy       | Ecotouri sm and Amrit Dharohar Sites |  9.98 | 1    |
| 33 | Uttar Pradesh | 2024-25 | Development of Cultural Landscape at Mahoba                         | Culture & Heritage                   | 24.98 | 2.5  |
| 34 | Uttarakhand   | 2024-25 | Development of Jadung Festive Ground', Jadung                       | Vibrant Village Program me           |  4.99 | 0.5  |
| 35 | Uttarakhand   | 2024-25 | Development of Kainchidham                                          | Spiritual Tourism                    | 17.6  | 1.76 |

|       |             |         | campus, Kainchidham   |                            |        |       |
|-------|-------------|---------|-----------------------|----------------------------|--------|-------|
| 36    | Uttarakhand | 2024-25 | Mana Haat project     | Vibrant Village Program me |   4.99 |  0.5  |
| Total | Total       | Total   | Total                 | Total                      | 648.11 | 64.81 |

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