Lok Sabha Question No. 3764 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Promotion of Caravan Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Tangella Uday Srinivas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3764

## ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## PROMOTION OF CARAVAN TOURISM

## 3764. SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any policy or guidelines for promotion and regulation of caravan tourism and caravan camping parks in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof,  along  with  States  and  destinations identified,  funding  pattern,  budget  allocated  and  implementing agencies;
- (c) whether  the  Government  recognises  that  caravan  tourism  can promote coastal, eco, adventure and wildlife tourism, particularly in remote  areas,  forests,  deserts,  beaches  and  riversides,  while ensuring adherence to quality and safety norms;
- (d) the  details  of  the  standards,  safety  protocols  and  environmental safeguards prescribed for caravan parks and operators;
- (e) the details of the funds  allocated,  released and  utilised for development  of  caravan  infrastructure  during  the  last  five  years, State and district-wise for Andhra Pradesh including Kakinada;
- (f) whether any caravan tourism projects have been approved in Andhra Pradesh; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof, including locations, implementing agencies and projected employment generation?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a)  to  (g):  Development  and  promotion  of  tourist  destinations  and products,  including  caravan  tourism  is  primarily  undertaken  by  the respective State Government / Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry of Tourism promotes India in a holistic manner, through various initiatives.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  through  its  central  sector  schemes  of ' Swadesh  Darshan ' , ' Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual,  Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) ' and ' Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development ' extends financial assistance to the State Governments  /  UT  Administrations  for  tourism  infrastructure development  in  the  country. The  central  financial  assistance  is  being extended  according  to  guidelines  and  based  on  proposals  /  detailed project reports received from the States and UT Governments. The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  not  supported  any  Caravan  Tourism Project  in  Andhra  Pradesh.  However,  the  list  of  other  infrastructure projects sanctioned in Andhra Pradesh is given at Annexure.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3764 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 REGARDING PROMOTION OF CARAVAN TOURISM RAISED BY SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS

## List of projects sanctioned in the State of Andhra Pradesh:

| S. No.                                  | Name of Project                                                                                                                            | Amount Sanctioned (in ₹ Crore)   | Status                             |
|-----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| A                                       | Swadesh Darshan 1.0                                                                                                                        | Swadesh Darshan 1.0              | Swadesh Darshan 1.0                |
| i.                                      | Development of Kakinada - Hope Island - Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary - Passarlapudi - Aduru - S Yanam - Kotipally (March 2015)               | 67.83                            | Completed                          |
| ii.                                     | Development of Nellore - Pulikat Lake - Ubblamadugu Waterfalls - Nelapattu- Kothakoduru- Mypadu - Ramateertham - Iskapalli (December 2015) | 49.55                            | Completed                          |
| iii.                                    | Development of Buddhist Circuit: Shalihundam- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda - Amravati- Anupu (September 2017)                                   | 35.24                            | Completed                          |
|                                         | Total Sanction Cost 152.62                                                                                                                 | Total Sanction Cost 152.62       | Total Sanction Cost 152.62         |
| B i. Borra Cave Experience (March 2024) | Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Araku-Lambasingi                                                                                                       | 29.88                            | Ongoing (32.31% physical progress) |
| ii.                                     | Development of Suryalanka Beach Experience, Bapatla (March 2025)                                                                           | 97.52                            | Ongoing (16.57% physical progress) |
|                                         | Total Sanction Cost 127.40                                                                                                                 | Total Sanction Cost 127.40       | Total Sanction Cost 127.40         |
| C Challenge Based i.                    | Destination Development Enriching Buddhist Heritage and Cultural Experiences at Nagarjuna Sagar (March 2025)                               | (CBDD) 25.00                     | Ongoing (21.27% physical progress) |
| ii.                                     | Ahobilam-A spiritual Odyssey (March 2025)                                                                                                  | 24.99                            | Ongoing (34.39% physical progress) |
| Sanction Cost                           | Total 49.99                                                                                                                                | Total 49.99                      | Total 49.99                        |

| D    | PRASHAD                                                                                                                       |                                                                                        |                                                                                        |
|------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| i.   | Development of Amaravati Town, Guntur District as a Tourist Destination (July 2020)                                           | 27.77                                                                                  | Completed                                                                              |
| ii.  | Development of Srisailam Temple (October 2021)                                                                                | 43.08                                                                                  | Completed                                                                              |
| iii. | Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narsimha Swami Vari Devasthanam at Simhachalam in Vishakhapatnam Temple (December 2022)                    | 54.04                                                                                  | Ongoing (95.58% physical progress)                                                     |
| iv.  | Development of Pilgrimage Tourism Infrastructure in Annavaram Temple Town (December 2024)                                     | 25.33                                                                                  | Ongoing (33.11% physical progress)                                                     |
| E    | Total Sanction Cost 150.22 Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)                                        | Total Sanction Cost 150.22 Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) | Total Sanction Cost 150.22 Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) |
| i.   | Gandikota- Enriching the Fort and Gorge Experience (November 2024)                                                            | 77.91                                                                                  | Ongoing (49.16% physical progress)                                                     |
| ii.  | Akhanda Godavari: (Havelock Bridge & Pushkar Ghat) (November 2024, Revised Sanction in Dec 2025)                              | 94.44                                                                                  | Ongoing (31.78% physical progress)                                                     |
|      | Total Sanction Cost 172.35                                                                                                    | Total Sanction Cost 172.35                                                             | Total Sanction Cost 172.35                                                             |
| F i. | Assistance to Central Agencies Sound and Light Show at Puttaparthy, Andhra                                                    | 7.08                                                                                   | Completed                                                                              |
| ii.  | Construction of Cruise-Cum-Costal Cargo Terminal at Channel berth area in Outer Harbour of Visakhapatnam Port (December 2018) | 38.50                                                                                  | Completed                                                                              |
| iii. | Tirupati Railway Station (February 2017)                                                                                      | 5.75                                                                                   | Completed                                                                              |
| iv.  | Glass Top Coaches: 1. Vizag-Arakku Valley Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. (2017-18)                                           | 4.00                                                                                   | Completed                                                                              |
|      | Total Sanction Cost                                                                                                           | 55.33                                                                                  |                                                                                        |
|      | Total Central Assistance                                                                                                      | 707.91                                                                                 |                                                                                        |

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