The Ministry of Tourism is actively promoting religious and heritage tourism in India through its Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme. Yesterday, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha that, a total of 46 projects worth ₹1605.20 crore have been approved under this scheme. These projects seek to develop infrastructure at key religious and heritage sites across the country, supporting state governments and union territories in improving tourism potential.
In Uttar Pradesh, several projects have been implemented under the PRASHAD scheme. Key developments include:
- Varanasi Phase I & II: Infrastructure upgrades costing ₹18.73 crore and ₹44.60 crore, respectively.
- Mathura-Vrindavan Tourist Circuit: Phase II development valued at ₹10.98 crore.
- Govardhan Infrastructure: Facilities created for ₹37.59 crore.
- River Cruise Tourism in Varanasi: ₹9.02 crore project to draw waterway tourism.
Complementing PRASHAD, the Swadesh Darshan initiative is working on 76 theme-based circuits across India, with a total budget of ₹5287.90 crore. In Uttar Pradesh, eight projects have been approved under various themes:
- Buddhist Circuit: Development of Shravasti, Kushinagar, and Kapilvastu with ₹87.89 crore.
- Ramayana Circuit: Projects in Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, and Shringverpur, with an integrated budget of ₹196.66 crore.
- Spiritual Circuits: Multiple circuits across districts like Aligarh, Gorakhpur, and Mirzapur with a total budget exceeding ₹170 crore.
- Heritage Circuit: Development of Kalinjar Fort, Chauri Chaura, and other historical sites with ₹36.65 crore.
Under the ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ scheme, monuments and heritage sites in Uttar Pradesh have also been illuminated to improve their appeal. Noteworthy projects include:
- Illumination in Varanasi and Sarnath: ₹5.12 crore for illuminating Dhamekh Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, and other sites.
- Monuments in Varanasi: A ₹2.93 crore project for lighting up Dashashwamedh Ghat, Tulsi Manas Mandir, and the Sarnath Museum.
The Ministry is also leveraging its digital outlets to boost religious tourism across India. Schemes like PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan seek to position India as an international hub for spiritual and heritage tourism, attracting domestic and international visitors alike.
The government’s promised tourism infrastructure not only creates spiritual and cultural connections but also contributes to the economic growth of local communities. (PR)