Development and promotion of tourism destinations and products is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government (SG)/Union Territory Administration (UTA). 

The Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD) and Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’, a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan scheme and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development in the country by extending financial assistance to the SGs/UTAs in synergy with the scheme guidelines, receipt of the project proposals  from the concerned State  Governments/Union Territory Administrations, availability of funds etc. 

Further, Government of India under its ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ sanctioned 40 projects in 23 States for Rs.3295.76 Crore in the country including Bihar in Financial Year 2024-25, with the primary objective to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding and marketing them at global scale. 

The details of the projects sanctioned under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, SASCI and PRASHAD schemes in the State of Bihar including in Rajgir is annexed.

Further, State Government of Bihar has submitted comprehensive destination strategy and development plan for Nalanda-Rajgir. 

Receiving of Project Proposal, Master Plan etc. from the State Government/UT Administrations is a continuous process. The proposals received are examined as per the scheme guidelines and financial assistance is extended for such project proposals subject to availability of funds, inter-se priority etc.

Details of the sanctioned projects in Bihar including under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, SASCI and PRASHAD scheme

(i) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the State of Bihar:

(in ₹Crore)

S. No.	Circuit / Sanction Year	Name of the Project	Sanctioned Cost
	Tirthankar 2016-17	Development of Vaishali- Arrah- Masad-Patna-Rajgir-Pawapuri- Champapuri	33.96
	Spiritual  2016-17	Development of Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj – Dharmshala- Deoghar	44.76
	Buddhist  2016-17	Development of Buddhist circuit-Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya	95.18
	Rural  2017-18	Development of Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia-Turkaulia	44.27
	Spiritual  2017-18	Development of Mandar Hill & Ang Pradesh	44.55

(ii) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in the State of Bihar:

(in ₹Crore)

S. No.	Year of Sanction	Destination	Name of the Experience	Sanctioned Cost
1.	2024-25	Bodh Gaya	Development of the Buddhist Meditation & Experience Centre, Bodh Gaya	165.44

(iii) Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme in the State of Bihar:

(in ₹Crore)

S.No.	Year of Sanction	Name of the Project	Category	Sanctioned Cost
1.	2024-25	Development of Sonepur Fair Site, Saran	Culture & Heritage	24.29

(iv) Details of Project sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme in the State of Bihar:

(in ₹Crore)

S.No.	Year of Sanction	Name of the Project	Sanctioned Cost
1.	2024-25	Development of Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa	97.61
2.	2024-25	Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub in Karamchat	49.51

(v) Details of Project sanctioned under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme in the State of Bihar:

(in ₹Crore)

S. No.	Project Name	Sanction Year	Sanction Amount
1.	Development at Patna Sahib	2015-16	29.62
2.	Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad temple, Gaya, Bihar	2014-15	3.63
3.	Development of Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran	2024-25	13.29

****

(This statement was given by MINISTER OF TOURISM SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 20.07.2026)

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2287026) आगंतुक पटल : 14