Question : BUDDHIST TOURISM

(a) whether the Government has identified certain Buddhist Circuits for development of Buddhist tourism in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government purposes to provide rail/road linkages and other infrastructure facilities for development of these circuits;

(d) if so, the detailed plan worked out by the Government in this regard; and

(e) the progress made in regard to development and promotion of identified circuits along with the funds allocated and sanctioned therefor, State/UT-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. K. CHIRANJEEVI)

(a) to (c): Yes, Madam. The Ministry of Tourism has appointed a National Level Consultant (NLC) to identify spiritual tourism circuits, including Buddhist Circuits, for integrated development, during the 12th Plan period, in association with the States/Union Territories (UT).

The names of the Buddhist Circuits identified, on the basis of their tourism potential, in consultation with States and stakeholders, by NLC are given below:

i. Dharmayatra Circuit: Bodh Gaya (Bihar) – Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh) - Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh) – Piparvah (Uttar Pradesh)
ii. Extended Dharmayatra Circuit: Bodh Gaya (Bihar) – Nalanda (Bihar)– Rajgir (Bihar)– Patna (Bihar)– Vaishali (Bihar)– Vikramshila (Bihar) – Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh) – Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh) – Kapilvastu (Uttar Pradesh) – Sankisa (Uttar Pradesh) – Piparvah (Uttar Pradesh)

While identifying the designated circuits efforts have been made to plug infrastructure gaps viz- rail/road linkages and provide better amenities to tourists.

(d) and (e): No funds have been sanctioned so far to the States/UTs for the identified Circuits.

The States/UTs have set-up respective State Level Monitoring Committees (SLMCs) to regularly review the progress of tourism infrastructure projects. Ministry of Tourism also monitors the implementation of projects through Regional Conferences, field inspections by the officers of the Ministry and periodical review meetings with the State/UT officers. State Governments/UT Administration are required to submit reports of the State Level Monitoring Committees to the Ministry of Tourism periodically.