Question : Development of Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham

(a) whether the Government is considering any proposal for the development of Badrinath and Kedarnath Dhams in Uttarakhand on the lines of Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu;
(b) if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the amount of financial assistance proposed to be provided by the Union Government to the State Government for the purpose;
(d) whether the Government proposes to undertake repair and strengthening of existing stairs for going to Amarnath, Kedarnath and Gangotri; and
(e) if so, the details thereof along with the routes available for reaching these places and the reaction of the Government on condition of these routes?

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

(a) to (e): Ministry of Tourism launched a Plan Scheme “National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive” (PRASAD). Under the PRASAD scheme 13 sites in the country have been identified for promoting and developing places of religious importance.


The sites identified under the scheme are Amritsar, Ajmer, Kedarnath, Dwaraka, Mathura, Varanasi, Gaya, Kamakhya, Puri, Amaravati, Kanchipuram, Vellankanni and Patna.

Ministry of Tourism has launched another Plan Scheme “Swadesh Darshan” in 2014-15 for integrated development of theme based circuits. Under Swadesh Darshan twelve thematic circuits have been identified, including four religious/spiritual thematic circuits i.e. Buddhist Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Spiritual Circuit and Ramayana Circuit.

Details of funds sanctioned for Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Amarnath during last three years is at Annexure.

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