Sanctioned: Rs.550 crore projects
The Tourism Ministry has identified 17 sites in 12 clusters in the country for development as Iconic Tourism Sites, Minister of State Prahlad Singh Patel told Rajya Sabha on 23 July 2019.
These are namely Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh), Ajanta & Ellora (Maharashtra), Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort & Qutub Minar (Delhi), Colva (Goa), Amer Fort (Rajasthan), Somnath & Dholavira (Gujarat), Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh), Hampi (Karnataka), Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), Kaziranga (Assam), Kumarakom (Kerala) and Mahabodhi Temple (Bihar).
The Ministry will be developing the above sites in collaboration with the Central Ministries, State Governments and Local Bodies, in a holistic manner, with focus on issues concerning connectivity to the destination, better facilities, experience for the tourists at the site, skill development, involvement of local community, promotion & branding and by bringing private investment.
Various projects worth Rs.550 crore has been sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD Schemes for Kerala.
Swadesh Darshan
2015-16: Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady under Eco Tourism Circuit in Idduki and Pathanamthitta Districts. Cost Rs.76.55 crore.
2016-17: Development of Sabarimala – Erumeli-Pampa-Sannidhanam under Spiritual Circuit in District Pathanamthitta. Cost Rs.99.99 Crore.
2016-17: Development of Sree Padmanabha Arnamula- Sabrimala under Spiritual Circuit. Cost Rs.92.22 crore.
2018-19: Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project under Rural Circuit. Cost Rs.90.37 crore.
2018-19: Development of Sivagiri Sree Narayana Guru Ashram- Arruvipuram- Kunnumpara Sree Subrahmania- Chembazhanthi Sree Narayana Gurukulam under Spiritual Circuit. Cost Rs.69.47 crore.
2018-19: Development of Kasaragod, Wayanad, Kannur, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Mallapuram, Thrichur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Allaphuza, Pathananamithitta, Kollam, Trivandrum under Spiritual Circuit. Cost Rs.85.23 crore.
PRASHAD
2016-17: Development at Guruvayur Temple. Cost Rs.46.14 crore.
The Ministry has also sanctioned following projects in Tamil Nadu during last three years:
SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME
2016-17: Development of Chennai-Mamallapuram–Rameshwaram–Kulasekaranpattinam–Kanyakumari. The coastal development cost is Rs.74.58 crore.
PRASHAD SCHEME
2016-17: Development of Kanchipuram. Cost is Rs.16.48 crore.
2016-17: Development of Vellankani. Cost is Rs.5.60 crore.
ASSISTANCE TO CENTRAL AGENCIES
2017-18: Joint Development of Rameshwaram Railway Station. Cost is Rs.4.7 crore.
2018-19: Joint Development of Madurai Railway Station. Cost is Rs.4.47 crore. fiinews.com
