Lok Sabha Question No. 108 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-01
Subject: Development of Tourism Infrastructure in Odisha
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Purohit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.108 ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025

## DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE IN ODISHA

## 108. SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  districts  of  Bargarh  and Jharsuguda  in  western  Odisha  have  immense  potential  for  religious, cultural, eco and industrial tourism, yet remain under-developed due to lack of adequate tourist infrastructure;
- (b) whether any proposals have been received from the State Government of Odisha for inclusion of sites like Nrusinghanath Temple, Gandhamardan Hills, Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Hirakud Backwater Eco-Tourism Zone and Jhadeswar Temple under centrally sponsored tourism development schemes;
- (c) the  details  of  the  projects  sanctioned  or  funds  released  under  the Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD or Dekho Apna Desh programmes for these districts during the last five years;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to develop a 'Western Odisha Cultural and Eco-Tourism Circuit' connecting Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda and Balangir districts; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  steps  taken/being  taken  to  promote  sustainable, community-based  tourism  preserving  local  ecology,  especially  around Gandhamardan Hills and Hirakud reservoir?

## ANSWER

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (e): Development and promotion of tourism destinations and products is  primarily  undertaken  by  the  concerned  State  Government  (SG)/Union Territory Administration (UTA). However, the Ministry of Tourism through its different schemes provides financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations for development of tourism infrastructure and experiences in the country.  The Ministry launched its Swadesh Darshan scheme in 2014-15 with  the  idea  to  develop  tourism  infrastructure  under  identified  thematic circuits. The scheme has now been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)

with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations. Further, Ministry has also sanctioned projects under 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual  Heritage  Augmentation  Drive  (PRASHAD)'  and 'Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan  scheme.    In  addition,  the  Government  of  India  under  its  'Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) - Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale' has also sanctioned projects in the country in Financial Year 2024-25, with the primary objective to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding and marketing them at global scale. The projects under the above schemes are sanctioned on receipt of suitable  project  proposals  from  the  concerned  State  Governments  /  UT Administrations, its alignment with scheme guidelines, availability of funds etc.  Various aspects of sustainability and community engagement are also embedded in the scheme guidelines for SD2.0 and SASCI schemes. The  details  of  the  projects  sanctioned  under  SD,  PRASHAD  and  SASCI schemes in the state of Odisha is annexed. Presently  there  is  no  new  proposal  under  consideration  for  sanctioning  of projects in Odisha under the above  mentioned  schemes. Ministry of Tourism promotes various tourist destinations and products of the country including those in Odisha in a holistic manner including 'Dekho Apna Desh' initiatives. Such promotions are undertaken through various ongoing initiatives such as social media posts, promotional website, tourism related events, extending support to tourism related fairs and festivals, participation in road shows etc.

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS ( a ) TO ( e ) OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO . 108 ANSWERED ON 01 . 12 . 2025 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE IN ODISHA RAISED BY SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT.

- (i) Details  of  Project  sanctioned  under  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme  in  the State of Odisha:

(Amount in ₹Crore)

|   S . No . | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                   |   Sanctioned Cost |   Amount Released / Authorized |
|------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|--------------------------------|
|          1 | Coastal Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada and Tampara |             70.82 |                          67.28 |

- (ii) Details  of  Project  sanctioned  under  Special  Assistance  to  States  for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme in the State of Odisha:

(Amount in ₹Crore)

|   S . No . | Year of Sanction   | Name of the Project     |   Sanctioned Cost |   Amount Released |
|------------|--------------------|-------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
|          1 | 2024-25            | Development of Hirakund |             99.9  |            131.92 |
|          2 | 2024-25            | Development of Satkosia |             99.99 |            131.92 |

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

(Amount in ₹Crore)

|   S. No. | Project Name                                                                                                            | Sanction Year   |   Sanction Amount |   Amount Released |
|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|-------------------|-------------------|
|        1 | Infrastructure Development at Puri, Shree Jagannath Dham - Ramachandi - Prachi River front at Demuli under Mega Circuit | 2014-15         |                50 |                10 |

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