Interest free loan for States to develop iconic centres
The Ministry of Tourism has approved 40 projects worth Rs.3,295.76 crore for development of lesser-known tourism sites in 23 states, across India, to ensure long-term growth while safeguarding natural and cultural resources by adopting best practices.
The Ministry is also encouraging State Governments to integrate advanced technologies into their tourism projects. By adopting technology, States can streamline operations, optimize tourist flow, and provide sustainable, innovative solutions for growth in the sector, the Ministry said in a release on 4 Dec 2024.
The Department of Expenditure has sanctioned the 40 projects https://www.conexpoconagg.com/.
Under the Special Assistance to States and Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme of Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, the operational guidelines for Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale were issued by the Ministry https://www.globaltenders.com/.
The aim of this scheme is to infuse long term interest free loans for a period of 50 years to States for comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding, and marketing them at global scale.
By infusing capital investment in the form of projects, the scheme further envisages growth of local economy and creation of employment opportunities through sustainable tourism projectshttps://ted.europa.eu/en/.
The States have been given a timeline of 2 years for completing the projects.
List of the Approved Projects:
Andhra Pradesh; 1. Gandikota – Enriching the Fort and Gorge Experience – cost Rs.77.91 crore;
2. Akhanda Godavari: (Havelock Bridge & Pushkar Ghat), Rajamahendravaram – cost Rs.94.44 crore;
Arunachal Pradesh – 3. Siang Adventure & Eco-Retreat, Pasighat – cost Rs.46.48 crore;
Assam – 4. Assam State Zoo Cum Botanical Garden, Guwahati – Rs.97.12 crore;
5. Beautification of Rang Ghar at Sivasagar – cost Rs.94.76 crore;
Bihar 6. Development of Matsyagandha Lake, Saharsa – cost Rs.97.61 crore;
7. Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub – Rs.49.51 crore;
Chhattisgarh 8. Development of Chitrotpala Film City – cost Rs.95.79 crore;
9. Development of Tribal & Cultural Convention Centre – cost Rs.51.87 crore;
Goa 10. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum, Ponda – cost Rs.97.46 crore;
11. Proposed Townsquare, Povorim – cost Rs.90.74 crore;
Gujarat – 12. Ecotourism Destination at Kerly (Mokarsagar), Porbandar – cost Rs.99.50 crore;
13. Tented City and Convention Centre, Dhordo – cost Rs.51.56 crore;
Jharkhand 14. Eco-Tourism Development of Tilaiyya, Koderma – cost Rs.34.87 crore;
Karnataka – 15. Ecotourism & Cultural Hub at Roerich and Devika Rani Estate Tataguni, Bengaluru – cost Rs.99.17 crore;
16. Development of Savadatti Yallammagudda, Belgavi – cost Rs.100.00 crore;
Kerala 17. Ashtamudi Biodiversity and Eco-recreational Hub, Kollam – cost Rs.59.71 crore;
18. Sargaalaya: Global Gateway to Malabar’s Cultural Crucible – cost Rs.95.34 crore;
Madhya Pradesh 19. Orchha A Medieval Splendour – cost Rs.99.92 crore;
20. International Convention Centre for MICE in Bhopal – cost Rs.99.38 crore;
Maharashtra 21. Ex-INS Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial Reef, and Submarine Tourism, Sindhudurg – cost Rs.46.91 crore;
22. Development of “RAM-KAL PATH” at Nashik – cost Rs.99.14 crore;
Manipur 23. Loktak Lake Experience – cost Rs.89.48 crore;
Meghalaya 24. MICE Infrastructure at Mawkhanu, Shillong – cost Rs.99.27 crore;
25. Re-development of Umiam Lake, Shillong – cost Rs.99.27 crore;
Odisha 26. Development of Hirakud – cost Rs.99.90 crore;
27. Development of Satkosia – cost Rs.99.99 crore;
Punjab 28. Development of Heritage Street, SBS Nagar – cost Rs.53.45 crore;
Rajasthan 29. Development at Amber-Nahargarh and surrounding Area, Jaipur – cost Rs.49.31 crore;
30. Development at Jal Mahal, Jaipur – cost Rs.96.61 crore;
Sikkim 31. Skywalk, Bhaleydhunga, Yangang, Namchi – cost Rs.97.37 crore;
32. Border Experience, Nathula – cost Rs.68.19 crore;
Tamil Nadu 33. Nandavanam Heritage Park at Mamallapuram – cost Rs.99.67 crore;
34. Garden of flowers at Devala, Ooty – cost Rs.70.23 crore;
Telangana 35. Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit – cost Rs.73.74 crore;
36. Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat Nallamala – cost Rs.68.10 crore;
Tripura 37. 51 Shakti Peethas Park at Banduar, Gomati – cost Rs.97.70 crore;
Uttar Pradesh 38. Development of Bateshwar, District- Agra – cost Rs.74.05 crore;
39. Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development, Shrawasti – cost Rs.80.24 crore;
Uttarakhand 40. Iconic City Rishikesh: Rafting Base Station – cost Rs.100.00 crore. Fiinews.com
