The Ministry of Tourism through its ongoing schemes of ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’, Swadesh Darshan and ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ – a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan, complements the efforts of the State Governments (SGs)/UT Administrations (UTs) by extending financial assistance to them for developing tourism related infrastructure in the country, including the State of Uttar Pradesh and National Capital Region (NCR).
The projects under these schemes are implemented by the respective States/UTs. However, the Ministry of Tourism regularly monitors the progress of the projects and also encourages respective State Government/ UT Administrations to complete the projects in a time bound manner.
The details of the projects sanctioned in Uttar Pradesh and National Capital Region (NCR) along with their status under the Schemes of PRASHAD, Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), are given in the Annexure.
No proposal is under consideration of the Ministry of Tourism for development of historic Dudheshwar Nath Temple in Ghaziabad. However, receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations for financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process. The proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribed guidelines and financial assistance is extended for such projects subject to fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.
The Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing endeavour promotes various tourism destinations and products of the country including Buddhist sites through promotional activities such as events, website, social media promotions, fairs and festivals, etc.
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 9th February 2026.
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Sunil Kumar Tiwari
ANNEXURE
List of projects sanctioned in Uttar Pradesh and NCR under PRASHAD Scheme
| Sr. No | State | Name of the Project | Sanction Year | Amount Sanctioned (₹ in Crore) |
| 1. | Uttar Pradesh | Development of Varanasi – Phase –I | 2015-16 | 18.73 |
| 2. | Uttar Pradesh | Development of Mathura-Vrindavan as Mega Tourist Circuit (Ph-II) | 2014-15 | 10.98 |
| 3. | Uttar Pradesh | River Cruise Tourism in Ganga, Varanasi | 2017-18 | 9.02 |
| 4. | Uttar Pradesh | Construction of Tourist Facilitation Centre at Vrindavan | 2014-15 | 9.36 |
| 5. | Uttar Pradesh | Development of Varanasi – Phase –II | 2017-18 | 44.60 |
| 6. | Uttar Pradesh | Development of Infrastructure facilities at Govardhan | 2018-19 | 37.59 |
List of projects sanctioned in Uttar Pradesh and NCR under Swadesh Darshan Scheme
| Sr. no. | State/UT | Circuit / Sanction Year | Name of the Project | Amount Sanctioned (₹ in Crore) |
| Rajasthan | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Spiritual Circuit– ‘Development of Churu (Salasar Balaji)-Jaipur (Shri Samodke Balaji, Ghatke Balaji, Bandheke Balaji)- Viratnagar (Bijak, Jainnasiya, Ambika Temple)- Bharatpur (Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) – Mehndipur Balaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji) | 87.05 | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Buddhist Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Srawasti, Kushinagar, &Kapilwastu | 87.89 | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Ramayana Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Chitrakoot and Shringverpur | 69.45 | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Ahar-Aligarh-Kasganj-Sarosi (Unnao)-Pratapgarh- Kausambi-Mirzapur-Gorakhpur-Domariyaganj-Basti-Barabanki-Azamgarh-Kairana- Baghpat- Shahjahanpur | 71.91 | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Bijnor- Meerut- Kanpur- Kanpur Dehat- Banda- Ghazipur- Salempur- Ghosi- Balia- Ambedkar Nagar- Aligarh- Fatehpur- Deoria- Mahoba- Sonbhadra- Chandauli- Mishrikh- Bhadohi | 67.51 | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Heritage Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Kalinjar Fort (Banda)- Maghar Dham (Sant Kabir Nagar)- Chauri Chaura, Shaheed Sthal (Fatehpur)- Mahuar shaheed Sthal (Ghosi)- Shaheed Smarak (Meerut) | 36.65 | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Ramayana Circuit 2017-18 | Development of Ayodhya | 127.21 | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Spiritual Circuit 2018-19 | Development of Jewar-Dadri-Sikandrabad-Noida-Khurja-Banda | 12.03 | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Spiritual Circuit 2018-19 | Development of Gorakhnath Temple (Gorakhpur), Devipattan Temple (Balrampur) and Vatvashni Temple (Domariyagunj) | 18.30 |
List of projects sanctioned in Uttar Pradesh and NCR under Swadesh Darshan 2.0
| Sr. no. | State | Destination | Name of the Experience | Sanctioned Year | Sanctioned Cost (₹ in Crore) |
| 1. | Uttar Pradesh | Naimisaranya | Vedic- wellness Experience | 2023-24 (Rev March 2025) | 17.80 |
| 2. | Uttar Pradesh | Prayagraj | Azad Park and Dekho Prayagraj Trail Experince | 2023-24 (Rev March 2025) | 14.52 |
List of projects sanctioned in Uttar Pradesh and NCR under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)
| State | Destination/ Category | Name of the Experience | Sanctioned Year | Sanctioned Cost (₹ in Crore) |
| Uttar Pradesh | Mahoba (Culture & Heritage) | Development of Cultural Landscape at Mahoba | 2024-25 | 24.98 |
