Govt drafting tourism policy to boost growth, create jobs

Apart from giving fillip to the country’s economy, the policy will also create job opportunities for lakhs of people and help in poverty alleviation, said MoS for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Dr Mahesh Sharma in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Among the other schemes that the Ministry has launched pursuant to Budget 2014-15 announcements are – Swadesh Darshan for integrated development of Tourist Circuits on specific themes, National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) to beautify and improve amenities at pilgrimage spots.

Sharma said three projects have been sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan for 2014-15.

The Centre has approved the development of Kakinada Hope Island Konaseema in Andhra Pradesh as a world-class coastal and eco-tourism circuit, for which Rs 69.83 crore has been sanctioned. In the <g data-gr-id="36">North-east</g> circuit, the government has approved the development of Bhaulpong-Bomdila-Twang in Arunachal Pradesh, for which Rs 50 crore has been sanctioned. The third project under the programme is for the development of Buddhist Circuit at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, for which Rs 33.17 crore has been sanctioned.

The Minister added for 2015-16, the government has focused on the development of tourist circuit in the North-east. Imphal-Moirang-Khongjom-Moreh in Manipur has been approved for tourist circuit, for which Rs 71.82 crore has been sanctioned.  The government has also approved tourist circuit linking for <g data-gr-id="37">Rangpo</g> (entry)-Rorathang-<g data-gr-id="38">Aritar</g>-Phadamchen-<g data-gr-id="39">Nathang</g>-Sherathang-<g data-gr-id="40">Tsongmo</g>-Gangtok-Phodong-Mangan-Lachung-Yumthang-Lachen-<g data-gr-id="41">Thangu</g>-Gurudongmer-Mangan- <g data-gr-id="42">Tumin</g>-<g data-gr-id="43">Lingee</g>-Singtam (exit) in Sikkim, for which Rs 98.05 crore has been sanctioned. The total amount sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan is Rs 322.87 crore.

Projects sanctioned under PRASAD (2014-15) include the development of facilities at Vishnupad Temple, Gaya, for which Rs 4.29 crore has been sanctioned; infrastructure development at Puri, Shree Jagannath Dham – Ramachandi-Prachi <g data-gr-id="32">River front</g> at <g data-gr-id="31">Deuli</g> – Dhauli under Mega Circuit has been given Rs 50 crore for development, two projects in Mathura - Vrindavan as a Mega Tourist Circuit (Phase–I), he said.