Lok Sabha Question No. 1223 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Improvement of Tourist Amenities at Brihadeeswara Temple
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Murasoli S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1223 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## IMPROVEMENT OF TOURIST AMENITIES AT BRIHADEESWARA TEMPLE

1223. SHRI MURASOLI S:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  need  for  modern  visitor management systems, footfall regulation and improved tourist amenities at the Brihadeeswara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site receiving a high volume of domestic and international visitors;
- (b)   the reasons for the absence of centrally supported initiatives such as digital  visitor  information  systems,  guided-tour  infrastructure,  multilingual interpretation centres and heritage-safety protocols at the said temple  while  similar  facilities  are  being  prioritised  at  such  heritage destinations in other parts of the country;
- (c)   whether the Union Government proposes to introduce centrally supported schemes including visitor management, emergency-response infrastructure and structured heritage interpretation modules at the said temple and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  details  of  the  steps  taken  or  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Union Government  to  ensure  uniform  national  standards  for  visitor  safety, heritage interpretation, and digital tourism services at all World Heritage Sites, including the Brihadeeswara Temple?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM               (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): The development of tourist destinations and products is primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments (SGs) and Union Territories

(UTs). The Ministry of Tourism, through its ongoing Central Sector Schemes, namely  Swadesh  Darshan  (SD),  Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACA), supplements the efforts of the State  Governments/  Union  Territories  (UTs)  and  Central  Agencies  by extending financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development.

Project proposals under these schemes are formulated and submitted by  the  concerned  State  Governments/  Union  Territories  (UTs)/  Central Agencies.  The  proposals  received for infrastructure  development  are examined and considered on the basis of the merit of the project, availability of funds, and adherence to the prescribed scheme guidelines.

Under the ACA Scheme, the Ministry has sanctioned a project titled 'Illumination and Allied Works at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, District Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu' at a total cost of Rs.11.47 crore. The component -wise details of the project are annexed.

Under  the  aforementioned  schemes,  tourism-related  infrastructure development  is  undertaken  in  an  inclusive,  integrated,  and  sustainable manner,  with  a  focus,  inter  alia,  on  safety,  security,  accessibility,  and ecological preservation.

Multiple components have been sanctioned under these schemes with the objective of enhancing visitor safety and security, accessibility, digital tourism services, and environmental sustainability. These include, inter alia, ramps,  railings, CCTV  surveillance  systems,  public  address  systems, signages, illumination, sound  and  light  and  multimedia  laser  shows, interpretation  centres,  queue  complexes,  and  solid  waste  management systems.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1223 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025 REGARDING IMPROVEMENT OF  TOURIST  AMENITIES  AT  BRIHADEESWARA  TEMPLE  RAISED  BY  SHRI MURASOLI S.

- (i)  Component-wise details of the project ' Illumination and allied works at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, District -Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu ' sanctioned under ACA is as under:

|   S. No. | COMPONENTS                                                                                                    |   Sanctioned Cost (in ₹ Crore) |
|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|
|        1 | Cost of Light fixtures                                                                                        |                           5.39 |
|        2 | Cost of Control Accessories and Electrical Items                                                              |                           1.54 |
|        3 | Cost of CCTV and Its Accessories                                                                              |                           0.46 |
|        4 | Cost of Miscellaneous Items (Mounting Cage, Installation arrangement using Local Stones, Cable managers etc.) |                           0.5  |
|        5 | Subtotal (I +2+3+4)                                                                                           |                           7.89 |
|        6 | O&M Charges @10% for 3 years                                                                                  |                           0.78 |
|        7 | Total (5+6)                                                                                                   |                           8.68 |
|        8 | ITDC Centage (10 %of 7)                                                                                       |                           0.86 |
|        9 | Contingency (3% of 7)                                                                                         |                           0.26 |
|       10 | DPR Preparation Cost (Lump Sum)                                                                               |                           0.1  |
|       11 | GST (18% of 7)                                                                                                |                           1.57 |
|       12 | GRAND TOTAL (7+8+9+10+11)                                                                                     |                          11.47 |

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