Question : Funds Allocated for Promotion of Spiritual Tourism

(a) whether the Government has asked the State Governments to expedite work on the development of spiritual circuits in several parts of the country;
(b) whether the Government has identified theme based circuits across the country and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has allocated funds for the development of the spiritual circuits during the last three years and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether many State Governments have identified land for the circuits and sent a proposal to the Government and if so, the details thereof including Kelijhar and Girad in Nagpur spiritual circuit; and
(e) whether the Government has taken any steps to rope in the Private sector in bringing the tourism sector in the country on to the global tourism map and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (c): For Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits in the country, the Ministry of Tourism has launched Swadesh Darshan Scheme in 2014-15.

Under the Scheme, thirteen thematic circuits have been identified for development namely; North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit and Heritage Circuit. The State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations are advised to identify projects under the above thematic circuits including Spiritual circuit of Swadesh Darshan Scheme and submit the same to the Ministry for consideration.

The details of the projects sanctioned under the Spiritual circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme since its launch is as under:
<pre> (Rs. in Crore)
Sl.
No. Name of State Project Name Amt. Sanctioned
Year 2016-17
1. Kerala Development of Sabarimala -Erumeli-Pampa-Sannidhanam as a Spiritual Circuit in District Pathanamthitta, Kerala. 99.99
2. Manipur Development of Spiritual Circuit: Shri Govindajee Temple- Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple- Shri Gopinath Temple- Shri Bungshibodon Temple- Shri Kaina Temple, Manipur. 53.80
3. Kerala
Development of Sree Padmanabhaswamy- Arnamula- Sabrimala as a Spiritual Circuit in Kerala 92.44

4. Bihar
Development of Jain Circuit: Vaishali-Arrah-Masad-Patna-Rajgir-Pawapuri-Champapuri as Spiritual Circuit in Bihar. 52.39

5. Bihar
Integrated Development of Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj -Dharmshala- Deoghar under Spiritual circuit in Bihar. 52.35

6. Uttar Pradesh Development of Spiritual Circuit (Shahjahanpur-Allahabad- Basti- Ahar- Aligharh- Kasgunj- Sarosi-Pratapgarh- Unnao-Kaushambi- Mirzapur-Gorakpur- Kairana- Doamriyagunj- Bagpat- Barabanki- Azamgarh). 76.00
7. Uttar Pradesh Development of Spiritual Circuit –II(Bijnor- Meerut- Kanpur- Kanpur Dehat- Banda- Ghazipur- Salempur- Ghosi- Balia- Ambedkar Nagar- Aligarh- Fatehpur- Deoria- Mahoba- Sonbhadra- Chandauli- Mishrikh- Bhadohi) in Uttar Pradesh under Swadesh Darshan Scheme. 62.96
8. Rajasthan Development of Spiritual Circuit– Churu (Salasar Balaji)– Jaipur (Shri Samode Balaji, Ghatke Balaji, Bandheke Balaji)- Alwar (Pandupole Hanumanji, Bharathari)- Viratnagar (Bijak, Jainnasiya, Ambika Temple)- Bharatpur (Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) – MehandipurBalaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji) in Rajasthan under Swadesh Darshan scheme. 93.90
9. Puducherry Development of Spiritual Circuit in Puducherry under Swadesh Darshan Scheme. 40.68
</pre>
(d): The submission of project proposals by the State Governments/UT Administrations under Swadesh Darshan Scheme is a continuous process. The projects are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, liquidation of pending utilization certificates, submission of suitable Detailed Project Report and adherence to the scheme guidelines. The Government of Maharashtra has submitted a project proposal for Development of Adasa, Waki, Dhapewada, Paradsinga, Narayanpur, Chota Taj Bagh, Gorakshan, Telankhedi, Kelzar and Girad in Maharashtra under Spiritual Circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan scheme.

(e): The Ministry under the scheme of Assistance to Large Revenue Generating Projects provides financial assistance to Public Sector Undertakings, Agencies or Autonomous Bodies of Central/State Governments as well as projects promoted by private sector/PPP Projects recommended by the State Governments/UT Administrations in form of Viability Gap Funding to promote large projects like Tourist Trains, Cruise Vessels, Convention Centres, Golf Courses, Health and Rejuvenation facilities etc. In addition to above, the Ministry also organised Incredible India Tourism Investors’ Summit in September 2016 with the objective of positioning the Indian Tourism for attracting large investors.

*********