(a) whether the Government has scheme to develop historical places/heritage cities to boost tourism in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the locations identified in this regard, State-wise including Balurghat in West Bengal;
(c) the details of funds sanctioned by the Government so far for the purpose, State-wise/location-wise; and
(d) the time by which the project is likely to be started and completed, phase-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) to (d): The Ministry of Tourism has launched following two new plan schemes pursuant to the Budget 2014-15 announcements:
1) Swadesh Darshan for Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits around Specific Themes.
Twelve theme based circuits i.e. North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit and Ramayana Circuit have been identified for development under “Swadesh Darshan”.
2) National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) to beautify and improve the amenities and infrastructure at pilgrimage centres of all faiths.
Under PRASAD, initially thirteen cities have been identified namely Ajmer, Amritsar, Amravati, Dwarka, Gaya, Kamakhaya, Kanchipuram, Kedarnath, Mathura, Patna, Puri, Varanasi and Velankanni.
The State-wise/location-wise details of projects sanctioned along with the completion period indicated in respective DPRs under Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD scheme during 2014-15 and 2015-16 are given at Annexure.
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