The Ministry of Tourism informed the Lok Sabha that it has sanctioned tourism infrastructure projects under multiple central schemes and policy initiatives. The announcement matters because tourism policy is not limited to promotion; it also depends on roads, amenities, destination planning, digital access, and travel facilitation.

What the Ministry of Tourism has done

The Ministry of Tourism said it has sanctioned 117 projects worth ₹5,756.62 crore over the last two years under several schemes. The ministry listed support through Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Challenge Based Destination Development, Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACA), Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA JUGA), and the government initiative Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) for development of iconic tourist centres.

The ministry described these schemes as tools for tourism infrastructure development and augmentation of basic amenities, subject to scheme guidelines and availability of funds. The focus is therefore on destination readiness, not only on advertising or event promotion.

Background and earlier position

India’s tourism policy has increasingly combined infrastructure, heritage, and digital access. The Ministry of Tourism has used scheme-based central financial assistance to states and Union territory administrations, while also coordinating with other ministries for connectivity, visa facilitation, and travel support.

Related current affairs