Lok Sabha Question No. 6129 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: Promotion of Tourism in Daman and Diu
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Shri Patel Umeshbhai Babubhai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6129 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN DAMAN AND DIU

## 6129. SHRI PATEL UMESHBHAI BABUBHAI:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any roadmap of NITI Aayog to promote tourism in Daman and Diu, and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the environmental protection is balanced with industrial development and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether any skill development schemes are proposed for local youths  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor; and
- (d)      whether any steps taken by Government to make Daman and Diu and international tourism hub and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) NITI Aayog's report on "Challenges faced in Heritage Management in India  and  Policy  Imperatives,  2021"  states  that  one  of  the  biggest challenges for the Heritage Sector of India is how to record, document, protect,  preserve,  reuse,  interpret  and  showcase  the  wide  range  of protected  and  unprotected  built  heritage  and  archaeological  spread across the vast expanse of the country which includes Daman and Diu as  well.  Further,  NITI  Aayog  has  supported  the  Ministry  of  Tourism through policy inputs, strategic recommendations, and inter-ministerial coordination  in  finalising  the  national-level  reports.  The  Ministry  of Tourism has prepared a roadmap to promote tourism development in Daman.  Under  the  Swadesh  Darshan  2.0  scheme,  the  Ministry  of Tourism has sanctioned ₹147.13 crore for thematic tourism infrastructure projects, including the Daman Convention Centre. Swadesh  Darshan  2.0 is  a  revamped  central  scheme  by  the Ministry  of  Tourism,  shifting  from  theme-based  circuits  to  a  holistic, destination-centric  approach  to  develop  sustainable  and  responsible tourism. It aims for "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" by enhancing local economies,  creating  jobs,  and  promoting  eco-friendly  infrastructure projects.
- (b)  The  Government  has  put  in  place  targeted  interventions  and regulatory frameworks to ensure environmentally sustainable industrial development in the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.

Under  the  Raising  and  Accelerating  MSME  Performance  (RAMP) Programme,  two  key  initiatives  are  being  implemented:  (i)  Green Practices and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Awareness Scheme, under  which  24  workshops  were  conducted  covering  1,200 MSMEs with a financial outlay of ₹0.24 crore, aimed at promoting energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and ESG compliance; and (ii) Energy and Water Audit Reimbursement Scheme, providing financial assistance of up to ₹1 lakh per enterprise for energy and  water  audits,  targeting  300  MSMEs  for  energy  audits  and  100 MSMEs for water audits, with a total budget of ₹4.00 crore.

In  addition, environmental safeguards are enforced through statutory provisions  relating  to  wastewater  treatment,  recycled  water  quality standards,  mandatory  grey-water  reuse  systems,  periodic  testing through  authorized  laboratories,  tree  plantation  norms  linked  to  plot size,  and  mandatory  adoption  of  renewable  energy  systems  such  as rooftop solar and solar water heaters. Enforcement mechanisms also include conditional discharge permissions, corrective actions in case of violations, and dispute resolution by the competent authority.

(c) Skill development programmers have been formulated and are being implemented for local youth and artisans in Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli through a combination of institutional capacity building, national skilling schemes, and industry-linked initiatives.

Key measures include establishment of Government ITIs and Polytechnics,  short-term  courses  such  as  Drone  Technician  training, creation of AI and Drone Labs, and the setting up of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Daman, with 20% seats reserved for UT domicile students. Under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, during the last three years, 2013 candidates were enrolled out of which, 1708 were trained, and 1316 were certified across the sectors including Healthcare, IT-ITeS, Electronics, Media & Entertainment, Instrumentation, Beauty & Wellness, and Apparel.

- (d) The UT Administration has identified Daman -Diu as a high-priority tourism  destination  and  is  pursuing  holistic  tourism  development through world-class infrastructure creation, diversified tourism offerings, and strategic outsourcing.

Major  initiatives  include  development  of  Ramsetu  Seafront  (Moti Daman)  and  Namo  Path  Seafront  (Nani  Daman)  with  internationalstandard  promenades,  cycling  tracks,  night  markets,  water  sports facilities, and luxury tent cities. A Convention Centre at Daman is being developed under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 to promote Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism is a specialized sector of business  tourism  involving  large  groups  traveling  for  professional events,  networking,  and  corporate  incentives.  An  iconic  connecting

bridge over the Daman Ganga River is planned to link major tourism zones, enhancing  mobility and  scenic  value. Additionally, luxury hospitality infrastructure is being strengthened through operationalization of five-star properties in Diu through the Taj Group.

These initiatives aim to position Daman -Diu as a competitive, high-value destination for domestic and international tourists.

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