Ministry of Tourism
Development of Tourism in NER
प्रविष्टि तिथि:
04 DEC 2025 3:44PM by PIB Delhi
Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing endeavour, promotes various tourism destinations and products of India including the states of North Eastern region in a holistic manner, through various initiatives including promotional events, assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations for organising fairs and festivals, participation in exhibitions, websites, social media etc.
The Ministry of Tourism has been organizing International Tourism Mart (ITM) in the North Eastern Region since 2013. The ITM is an annual event designed to highlight the tourism potential of the North Eastern region for both domestic and international audiences. This event serves as a vital platform, bringing together tourism businesses and entrepreneurs from the eight North Eastern States—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim—to foster collaboration and interactions among buyers, sellers, media, government agencies, and other stakeholders. This year ITM was held at Gangtok, Sikkim, from 13-16 November 2025. In addition to this the followings steps including the initiatives under various central schemes as under:
(i) Incredible India Digital Platform-The Ministry of Tourism revamped the Incredible India website as IIDP in September 2024 to engage the visitors across web and social media platforms. The content on the Incredible India Website is available in Hindi, English and UN languages. The website features tourism destination in the North East States to promote tourism in NER.
(ii) The Ministry of Tourism promotes various tourism sites and products in North East Region in the domestic and international markets. Creative posts, Live sessions, Tweets etc., on North East destinations are posted on regular basis on the social media handles of the Ministry of Tourism. In addition, the Ministry of Tourism also produces promotional material showcasing the tourist destinations and products in North Eastern States.
(iii) Financial support for organizing fairs & festivals- Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations for organising fairs / festivals and Tourism related events under the DPPH scheme. The list of North East States to which the financial support for organizing fairs and festivals has been extended is at Annexure-I.
(iv) Ministry of Tourism under the schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’, ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ provides financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations/Central Agencies, Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI Scheme), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) for the development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities at various tourism destinations in the country including North Eastern Region. The Ministry of Tourism has now revamped the Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations, following a destination & tourism centric approach. The details of projects sanctioned under the above-mentioned schemes in North Eastern region are given at Annexure-II.
Ministry of Tourism implements the Swachhta Action Plan (SAP) in coordination with the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti. Under SAP, the Ministry conducts cleanliness-awareness programmes, including in the North Eastern States. During 2024–25, 173 SAP activities were organized through IITTM, Central IHMs, State IHMs and FCIs under the following categories of (i) Tourist Awareness (ii) Students Awareness (iii) Stakeholders Awareness. Additionally, as directed by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Ministry of Tourism observes Swachhta Pakhwada and Swachhta Hi Sewa (SHS) every year in September and October. In 2024–25, 277 activities under Swachhta Pakhwada and 244 activities under SHS were carried out across India, including the North Eastern Region.
For effective air connectivity at PAN Indian basis including the States of NER, the Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the RCS-UDAN scheme to make regional air travel affordable, and the Ministry of Tourism has collaborated with it by extending Viability Gap Funding under the Champion Service Sector Scheme to improve air links to key tourist locations, including in the North Eastern Region. Under this initiative, the following NER routes have been included as Tourism RCS routes: Dibrugarh–Dimapur, Dimapur–Dibrugarh, Dimapur–Imphal, Imphal–Dimapur, Agartala–Aizawl, Aizawl–Agartala, Dibrugarh–Imphal, Imphal–Dibrugarh, Hollongi–Guwahati and Guwahati–Hollongi.
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com
ANNEXURE-I
Central Financial Assistance (Fairs & Festivals)
(Rs. in lakhs)
|
Name of state
|
Year
|
Name of Fairs & Festivals
|
Amount sanctioned
|
|
Assam
|
2016-17
|
- Rass Mahotsav, Majuli
- Bodo National Festival
- Rongali Festival
|
35.00
|
|
2018-19
|
International Buddhist conference
|
25.00
|
|
Rongali festival
|
25.00
|
|
2021-22
|
Bhogali Festival
|
25.00
|
|
Rongoli festivals
|
25.00
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
2014-15
|
Nyokum Festival
|
14.00
|
|
2015-16
|
- Kameng River Eco-Tourism Festival
- Menchuka Adventure Festival and
- Orange Festival Dambuk
|
30.00
|
|
2017-18
|
- Tawang Festival
- Menchuka Adventure Festival
- Orange Festival Dambuk
|
40.00
|
|
2018-19
|
Basar Confluence 3.0 Festival
|
20.00
|
|
2019-20
|
River Tribe’s Angling Festival
|
25.00
|
|
Butterfly Meet at MIAO
|
25.00
|
|
2020-21
|
Pedal to Pakke
|
25.00
|
|
2021-22
|
Easterly Essence Ledum Festival
|
25.00
|
|
Orange Festival of Music and Adventure
|
25.00
|
|
2022-23
|
Si Donyi Festival
|
25.00
|
|
Orange Festival
|
25.00
|
|
2024-25
|
Aroma of Arunachal Festival
|
50.00
|
|
Manipur
|
2014-15
|
Manipuri Festival and Youth, Adventure& Water sports festival 2014
|
50.00
|
|
2015-16
|
Manipur Sangai Festival and Youth, Adventure and Water Sports Festival Manipur 2015
|
50.00
|
|
2016-17
|
Manipur Sangai Festival, and Youth Adventure and Water Adventure sports festival 2016
|
50.00
|
|
2017-18
|
Manipur Sangai Festival and “Youth Adventure & Water Sports Festival 2017
|
50.00
|
|
2019-20
|
Sangai Festival
|
25.00
|
|
Youth Adventure & Water Sports festival
|
25.00
|
|
Meghalaya
|
2016-17
|
Wangala Dance Festival and Nongkrem Dance Festival
|
42.22
|
|
2017-18
|
Wangala Dance Festival, Nongkrem Dance Festival and Lasubon Festival
|
50.00
|
|
2018-19
|
Wangala Dance Festival and Nongkrem Dance Festival
|
50.00
|
|
2019-20
|
Wangala Dance
|
25.00
|
|
Nongkrem Dance Festival
|
25.00
|
|
2021-22
|
Wangala Dance
|
25.00
|
|
Nongkrem Dance Festival
|
25.00
|
|
2022-23
|
Wangala Dance
|
25.00
|
|
Nongkrem Dance Festival
|
25.00
|
|
2023-24
|
Nongkrem Dance Festival
|
25.00
|
|
2024-25
|
100 Drums Wangala Dance Festival
|
25.00
|
|
Nongkrem Dance Festival
|
16.00
|
|
2025-26
|
100 Drums Wangala Dance Festival
|
40.00
|
|
Nongkrem Dance Festival
|
40.00
|
|
Mizoram
|
2014-15
|
Anthurium Festival,
|
25.00
|
|
ThalfavangKut festival
|
25.00
|
|
2015-16
|
Anthurium Festival
|
25.00
|
|
ThalfavangKut Festival
|
25.00
|
|
2017-18
|
Winter Festival
|
25.00
|
|
Chapchar Kut
|
25.00
|
|
2018-19
|
Chapchar Kut Festival
|
25.00
|
|
2019-20
|
Anthurium Festival
|
25.00
|
|
Winter Festival
|
25.00
|
|
2020-21
|
Anthurium Festival
|
25.00
|
|
Winter Festival
|
25.00
|
|
2021-22
|
Anthurium Festival
|
25.00
|
|
Winter Festival
|
25.00
|
|
2022-23
|
Anthurium Festival
|
25.00
|
|
Winter Festival
|
25.00
|
|
2024-25
|
Winter Festival 2024
|
25.00
|
|
Leitlanpui Music Festival 2024
|
25.00
|
|
2025-26
|
Mizoram Travel Fest- 2025
|
30.00
|
|
Leitlanpui Music Festival 2025
|
25.00
|
|
Winter Festival 2025
|
25.00
|
|
Nagaland
|
2014-15
|
Hornbil Festival, 2014
|
25.00
|
|
2016-17
|
Hornbill Festival
|
|
|
2017-18
|
Sekrenyi Festival, Hornbill Festival, Rengma’sNgadah Festival
|
50.00
|
|
2019-20
|
Hornbill Festival
|
25.00
|
|
Thuwu-Ni Festival
|
10.00
|
|
Sukhrunye Festival
|
15.00
|
|
2021-22
|
Hornbill Festival
|
20.00
|
|
The Angami’s Sekrenyi Festival
|
10.00
|
|
2022-23
|
Ahuna Festival
|
5.00
|
|
Runa Festival
|
5.00
|
|
Sekrenyi Festival
|
5.00
|
|
Autumn Festival at Nagaland House Kolkata
|
5.00
|
|
Autumn Festival at Nagaland House New Delhi
|
5.00
|
|
Hornbill Festival
|
25.00
|
|
2023-24
|
Autumn Festival at Nagaland House, New Delhi
|
10.00
|
|
Cuisine and Music Festival at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama
|
25.00
|
|
2024-25
|
Autumn Festival at Nagaland House
|
30.00
|
|
Traditional Food & Folk Music Festival at Dimapur
|
25.00
|
|
Cultural Fair at Tzurang Valley, Mokuchung District
|
25.00
|
|
2025-26
|
Autum Festival - Prelude to Hornbill Festival, 2025
|
25.00
|
|
Naga Wrestling Festival
|
25.00
|
|
Cultural & Folk Music Festival
|
30.00
|
|
Sikkim
|
2015-16
|
- World Tourism Day, Gangtok,
- Sikkim Winter Carnival, Gangtok,
|
44.00
|
|
2016-17
|
World Tourism Day, Gangtok
|
25.00
|
|
Red Panda Winter Festival, Gangtok
|
25.00
|
|
2017-18
|
World Tourism Day, Gangtok
|
25.00
|
|
Red Panda Winter festival, Gangtok
|
25.00
|
|
2018-19
|
World Tourism Day
|
25.00
|
|
Red Panda Festival, Gangtok
|
25.00
|
|
2019-20
|
World Tourism Day, Gangtok
|
25.00
|
|
Red Panda Winter Festival
|
25.00
|
|
2020-21
|
Red Panda Winter Carnival
|
25.00
|
|
Jorethang Maghey Mela
|
12.50
|
|
Pelling Winter Tourism Festival
|
12.50
|
|
2021-22
|
Cherry Temi Tea & Tourism Festival Temi Tea Gardens South Sikkim
|
12.50
|
|
Khangchendzonga Winter Carnival Festival
|
12.50
|
|
Jorethang Maghey Mela
|
25.00
|
|
Tripura
|
2016-17
|
- Neermahal Festival at Rajghat, Melaghar in Sepahijala District
- Devali Festival at Maabari, Udaipur in Gomati District
- Pilak Festival at Julaibari Santirbazar in South Tripura
|
18.00
|
|
2019-20
|
Kharchi Mela
|
25.00
|
|
Neermahal Festival
|
2.00
|
|
Diwali Mela
|
15.00
|
|
2020-21
|
Bharat Bangla Festival
|
25.00
|
|
2022-23
|
Neermahal Festival
|
10.00
|
|
Diwali Festival
|
5.00
|
|
Chabimura Festival
|
5.00
|
|
2023-24
|
Neermahal Festival
|
9.80
|
|
Diwali Festival
|
9.55
|
|
Chabimura Festival
|
3.00
|
|
2024-25
|
Diwali Festival
|
20.00
|
|
Chabimura & Tirthamukh Festival
|
12.00
|
|
Ashokastami Festival
|
5.00
|
|
Chapchar Kut Festival
|
5.00
|
|
2025-26
|
Neermahal Festival
|
30.00
|
|
Diwali Festival
|
30.00
|
|
Chabimura & Tirthamukh Festival
|
20.00
|
ANNEXURE-II
Swadesh Darshan Scheme
(Rs. in Crore)
|
S.
No.
|
State/UT
|
Circuit / Sanction Year
|
Name of the Project
|
Amount Sanctioned
|
-
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
North-East Circuit
2014-15
|
Development of Bhalukpong- Bomdila and Tawang
|
49.77
|
-
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
North East Circuit
2015-16
|
Development of Nafra- Seppa- Pappu, Pasa, Pakke Valleys- Sangdupota- New Sagalee- Ziro- Yomcha
|
96.72
|
-
|
Assam
|
Wildlife Circuit
2015-16
|
Development of Manas– Probitora– Nameri– Kaziranga– Dibru– Saikhowa
|
94.68
|
-
|
Assam
|
Heritage Circuit
2016-17
|
Development of Tezpur – Majuli – Sibsagar
|
90.98
|
-
|
Manipur
|
North-East Circuit
2015-16
|
Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal- Khongjom
|
72.23
|
-
|
Manipur
|
Spiritual Circuit
2016-17
|
Development of Shri Govindajee Temple, Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple – Shri Gopinath Temple – Shri Bungshibodon Temple – Shri Kaina Temple
|
45.34
|
-
|
Meghalaya
|
North East Circuit
2016-17
|
Development of Umium (Lake View), U Lum Sohpetbneng-Mawdiangdiang – Orchid Lake Resort
|
99.13
|
-
|
Meghalaya
|
North East Circuit
2018-19
|
Development of West Khasi Hills (Nongkhlaw- KremTirot – Khudoi & Kohmang Falls – Khri River- Mawthadraishan, Shillong), Jaintia Hills (Krang Suri Falls- Shyrmang- Iooksi), Garo Hills (Nokrek Reserve, Katta Beel, Siju Caves)
|
84.97
|
-
|
Mizoram
|
North East Circuit
2015-16
|
Development of Thenzawl & South Zote, District Serchhip and Reiek.
|
92.26
|
-
|
Mizoram
|
Eco Circuit
2016-17
|
Development of Eco-Adventure Circuit Aizawl -Rawpuichhip – Khawhphawp – Lengpui – Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee – Beratlawng -Tuirial Airfield – Hmuifang
|
66.37
|
-
|
Nagaland
|
Tribal Circuit
2015-16
|
Development of Tribal Circuit Peren- Kohima- Wokha
|
97.36
|
-
|
Nagaland
|
Tribal Circuit
2016-17
|
Development of Mokokchung-Tuensang-Mon
|
98.14
|
-
|
Sikkim
|
North
East
Circuit
2015-16
|
Development of Tourist Circuit linking Rangpo (entry) – Rorathang- Aritar- Phadamchen- Nathang-Sherathang- Tsongmo- Gangtok-Phodong- Mangan- Lachung-Yumthang- Lachen- Thangu-Gurudongmer- Mangan- Gangtok-TuminLingee- Singtam (exit)
|
98.05
|
-
|
Sikkim
|
North East Circuit
2016-17
|
Development of Tourist Circuit Linking Singtam– Maka- Temi-BermoikTokel- Phongia- Namchi –Jorthang- Okharey- Sombaria-Daramdin- Jorethang- Melli (Exit)
|
95.32
|
-
|
Tripura
|
North East Circuit
2015-16
|
Development of Agartala - Sipahijala - Melaghar - Udaipur - Amarpur- Tirthamukh- Mandirghat– Dumboor- NarikelKunja- Gandachara– Ambassa
|
82.85
|
-
|
Tripura
|
North
East Circuit
2018-19
|
Development of SurmaCherra- Unakoti- Jampui Hills- Gunabati - Bhunaneshwari- Neermahal- Boxanagar- Chottakhola- Pilak- Avangchaarra
|
44.83
|
Swadesh Darshan 2.0
(Rs. in Crore)
|
S. No.
|
State
|
Year of Sanction
|
Destination
|
Name of the Experience
|
Sanctioned Cost
|
-
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
2023-24
|
Nacho
|
Unlock Nacho Expedition
|
14.02
|
-
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
2023-24
|
Mechuka
|
Mechuka Cultural Haat
|
18.48
|
-
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
2023-24
|
Mechuka
|
Mechuka Adventure Park
|
12.75
|
-
|
Assam
|
2023-24
|
Kokrajhar
|
Kokrajhar Wetland Experience
|
26.67
|
-
|
Assam
|
2023-24
|
Jorhat
|
Reimagining Cinnamara Tea Estate
|
23.88
|
-
|
Meghalaya
|
2023-24
|
Sohra
|
Waterfall Trails Experience
|
27.60
|
-
|
Meghalaya
|
2023-24
|
Sohra
|
Meghalayan Age Cave Experience
|
32.45
|
-
|
Mizoram
|
2024-25
|
Champhai
|
Eco Resort Experience at Keilungliah, Zote, Ngur & Mualbuhvum, Champhai
|
38.85
|
-
|
Mizoram
|
2024-25
|
Champhai
|
Heritage and Cultural Centre, Champhai
|
33.87
|
-
|
Mizoram
|
2025-26
|
Thingsulthliah
|
Construction of Conference Centre
|
99.71
|
-
|
Nagaland
|
2023-24
|
Chumoukedima
|
Eco-Tourism Exp at Chumoukedima viewpoint
|
7.87
|
-
|
Nagaland
|
2023-24
|
Chumuoukedima
|
Tribal Cultural Experience at Midway Retreat
|
21.56
|
-
|
Nagaland
|
2024-25
|
Chumuoukedima
|
Adventure Tourism Experience at Jacob Village, Chumoukediema
|
32.54
|
-
|
Sikkim
|
2023-24
|
Gyalshing
|
Eco-Wellness Experience at Yuksom Cluster
|
15.41
|
-
|
Sikkim
|
2023-24
|
Gangtok
|
Gangtok Cultural Village
|
22.60
|
-
|
Tripura
|
2024-25
|
Agartala
|
Tripura Heritage Village & Sangeet Experience at Agartala (Phase-1 &2)
|
48.95
|
Challenge Based Destination Development" sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0.
(Rs. in Crore)
|
S. No.
|
State/UT
|
Year of Sanction
|
Name of the Project
|
Category
|
Sanctioned Cost
|
|
1
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
2024-25
|
Bichom Dam Adventure & Eco-Tourism Project
|
Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites
|
9.90
|
|
2
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
2024-25
|
Kibhito Frontier Tourism - Gateway to Serenity
|
Vibrant Village Programme
|
4.96
|
|
3
|
Assam
|
2024-25
|
Panidhing Bird Sanctuary, Sivasagar
|
Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites
|
9.99
|
|
4
|
Manipur
|
2024-25
|
Development of Ancient capital of Manipur, Langthabal Konug
|
Culture & Heritage
|
24.69
|
|
5
|
Meghalaya
|
2024-25
|
Mawphlang cultural & Heritage centre
|
Culture & Heritage
|
24.87
|
|
6
|
Meghalaya
|
2024-25
|
Nartiang Spiritual & Cultural Centre
|
Spiritual Tourism
|
24.87
|
|
7
|
Nagaland
|
2024-25
|
Soulful Trails: The Impur Heritage Experience, Impur Village
|
Spiritual Tourism
|
24.94
|
|
8
|
Nagaland
|
2024-25
|
Development of wings over Doyang: An Eco-Tourism Haven' Doyang Reservoir
|
Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites
|
10.00
|
|
9
|
Sikkim
|
2024-25
|
Echoes of Valor: The Gnathang Valley Experience," Gnathang Village
|
Vibrant Village Programme
|
5.00
|
|
10
|
Sikkim
|
2024-25
|
Kabi Chronicles: A journey through Unity and Heritage, Kabi, Mangan
|
Spiritual Tourism
|
24.96
|
Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI Scheme)
(Rs. in Crore)
|
S. No.
|
State
|
Year of Sanction
|
Name of the Project
|
Sanctioned Cost
|
-
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
2024-25
|
Siang Adventure & Eco-Retreat in Pasighat
|
46.48
|
-
|
Assam
|
2024-25
|
Assam State Zoo Cum Botanical Garden in Guwahati
|
97.12
|
-
|
Assam
|
2024-25
|
Beautification of Rang Ghar in Sivasagar
|
94.76
|
-
|
Manipur
|
2024-25
|
Loktak Lake Experience in Loktak
|
89.48
|
-
|
Meghalaya
|
2024-25
|
MICE Infrastructure in Mawkhanu
|
99.27
|
-
|
Meghalaya
|
2024-25
|
Redevelopment of Umiam Lake in Shillong
|
99.27
|
-
|
Sikkim
|
2024-25
|
Skywalk, Bhaleydhunga, Yangang in Namchi
|
97.37
|
-
|
Sikkim
|
2024-25
|
Border Experience in Nathula
|
68.19
|
-
|
Tripura
|
2024-25
|
Shakti Peethas Park at Banduar in Gomati
|
97.70
|
PRASHAD Scheme
(Rs. in Crore)
|
S. No.
|
State/UT
|
Project Name
|
Sanction Year
|
Approved Cost
|
-
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
Development of Parshuram Kund, Lohit Distt.
|
2020-21
|
37.88
|
-
|
Assam
|
Development of Kamakhya Temple and Pilgrimage Destination in and around Guwahati
|
2015-16
|
29.80
|
-
|
Meghalaya
|
Development of Pilgrimage Facilitation in Meghalaya
|
2020-21
|
29.29
|
|
4
|
Mizoram
|
Development of Infrastructure for Pilgrimage and Heritage Tourism in the State of Mizoram
|
2022-23
|
44.89
|
|
5
|
Mizoram
|
Development of Basic Amenities under PRASHAD scheme in Vangchhia, Champhai District
|
2024-25
|
5.47
|
|
6
|
Nagaland
|
Development of Pilgrimage Infrastructure in Nagaland
|
2018-19
|
25.20
|
|
7
|
Nagaland
|
Development of Pilgrimage Tourism Infrastructure at Zunheboto
|
2022-23
|
18.18
|
|
8
|
Sikkim
|
Development of Pilgrimage Facilitation at Four Patron Saints, Yuksom
|
2020-21
|
33.32
|
|
9
|
Tripura
|
Development of Tripura Sundari Temple, Udaipur
|
2020-21
|
34.43
|
Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development Scheme
(Rs. in Crore)
|
S. No.
|
Agency
|
Name of Project
|
State
|
Sanction Date
|
Amount sanctioned
|
|
1
|
IWAI
|
Development of Jetties at 9 main points of embarkation/disembarkation of River Cruize on National Water ways No. 1 & 2
|
Assam
|
28-04-2020
|
28.03
|
|
2
|
WAPCOS
|
Development of Convention Centre and associated Infrastructure at Aizawl.
|
Mizoram
|
31-03-2021
|
39.94
|
|
3
|
NHIDCL
|
Development of 22 viewpoints in North Eastern State
(i) Nagaland (2 view points)- Rs.5.77 Cr.
(ii) Meghalaya (3 view points) – Rs.6.26 Cr.
(iii) Mizoram (9 view points)- Rs.12.78 Cr.
(iv) Arunachal Pradesh (4 view points) – Rs.6.25 Cr.
(v) Manipur (3 view points)- Rs.5.93 Cr.
(vi) Sikkim/West Bengal (1 view point)- Rs.3.70 Cr.
|
NER
|
11-10-2022
|
44.44
|
|
4
|
Ministry of Railways
|
Kamakhya Railway Station
|
Assam
|
18.12.2012
|
4.96
|
|
5
|
Ministry of Railways
|
Guwahati Railway Station
|
Assam
|
18.12.2012
|
4.99
|
(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2198716)
आगंतुक पटल : 103