The Centre has sanctioned 117 tourism infrastructure projects worth ₹5,756.62 crore over the last two years to strengthen tourism facilities, improve connectivity and promote niche tourism across the country, the Ministry of Tourism said on Monday.
The projects have been approved under multiple flagship schemes, including Swadesh Darshan 2.0, the Challenge-Based Destination Development Scheme, PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive), Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development, the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JUGA), and the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.
According to the Ministry, the approved projects aim to develop tourism infrastructure, improve basic amenities and create world-class visitor experiences across diverse destinations.
Among the sanctioned projects, Swadesh Darshan 2.0 accounts for 24 projects worth ₹1,565.62 crore, while 36 projects valued at ₹687.99 crore have been approved under the Challenge-Based Destination Development Scheme. The PRASHAD scheme has received ₹172.27 crore for nine pilgrimage-related projects, while two projects worth ₹17.46 crore have been sanctioned under the Assistance to Central Agencies scheme. Additionally, five tribal homestay projects worth ₹17.52 crore have been approved under the DA-JUGA initiative, and 41 projects worth ₹3,295.76 crore have been sanctioned under the SASCI scheme.
The projects span a wide range of tourism segments, including beach tourism, eco-tourism, heritage conservation, spiritual destinations, convention centres, adventure tourism, tribal homestays and cultural attractions.
Some of the notable projects include the development of the Suryalanka Beach Experience in Andhra Pradesh, a Buddhist Meditation and Experience Centre in Bodh Gaya, the Bhoramdeo Corridor in Chhattisgarh, the Daman Convention Centre, the rejuvenation of Yadavindra Garden in Haryana, tourism infrastructure at Maa Chintpurni Temple in Himachal Pradesh, Alappuzha’s water tourism project in Kerala, an eco-retreat at Bangaram in Lakshadweep, the Shivshrusthi Theme Park in Pune and development works at Khatu Shyam Ji Temple in Rajasthan.
Under the Challenge-Based Destination Development Scheme, the government has approved projects ranging from Buddhist heritage development at Nagarjuna Sagar in Andhra Pradesh to heritage conservation in Bidar, spiritual tourism in Rameswaram, eco-tourism initiatives in Ladakh and Nagaland, and tourism infrastructure in destinations such as Orchha, Mandu, Varkala, White Town in Puducherry and Anandpur Sahib in Punjab.
The PRASHAD scheme includes projects to upgrade pilgrimage infrastructure at destinations such as Annavaram Temple in Andhra Pradesh, Ambika Bhawani Temple in Bihar, Bom Jesus Basilica in Goa, Renuka Yallama Devi Temple in Karnataka, Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu and Renuka Yellama Devasthanam in Telangana.
The Ministry also highlighted the government’s continued focus on digital tourism promotion through the revamped Incredible India Digital Platform, launched in September 2024. The multilingual portal offers travel information and booking services for flights, hotels, transport and tickets to Archaeological Survey of India monuments. Tourism promotion is also being supported through digital campaigns, social media outreach and collaborations with influencers.
To improve ease of travel, the government has expanded the e-Visa facility to nationals of 174 countries under nine visa categories. It also operates a 24×7 multilingual tourist helpline and has introduced the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification Programme to create a professionally trained pool of tourist guides with nationwide recognition.
The Ministry said it is working with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to improve air connectivity to tourist destinations under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, under which 53 tourism routes have been identified. It is also coordinating with the Ministry of Home Affairs to facilitate travel in restricted and protected areas.
The government is simultaneously promoting niche tourism segments, including spiritual, eco, adventure, rural, tribal, wellness, medical, MICE, wedding and heritage tourism. It has formulated national strategies for sustainable tourism, rural tourism, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, medical and wellness tourism, and MICE tourism. Initiatives such as the “Meet in India” sub-brand for business events, the “India Says I Do” campaign for destination weddings and the Model Adventure Tourism Safety Framework are also aimed at positioning India as a global tourism destination.
The information was shared by Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
