Centre clears scheme for development of 40 tourist destinations across 23 States at a cost of ₹3,295 crore

States encouraged to develop lesser-known tourist destinations, including Bateshwar in Uttar Pradesh, Ponda in Goa and Gandikota in Andhra Pradesh

The Centre has approved interest-free loans worth ₹3,295 crore to States for the development of tourism sites and infrastructure. As part of this initiative, 40 new projects have been identified across 23 States, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Thursday (November 28, 2024).

Through this initiative, the Union Tourism Ministry has also encouraged States to develop lesser-known tourist destinations, including Bateshwar in Uttar Pradesh, Ponda in Goa, Gandikota in Andhra Pradesh, and Porbandar in Gujarat.

The loans were cleared by the Union Finance Ministry earlier this week. As per the directives of the Department of Expenditure, the Ministry of Tourism has issued operational guidelines for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) for development of iconic tourist centres.

The aim of this scheme is to infuse long-term interest-free loans for a period of 50 years to States for comprehensively developing iconic tourist centres in the country as well as branding and marketing them at a global scale.

“By infusing capital investment in the form of projects, the scheme further envisages the growth of the local economy and the creation of employment opportunities through sustainable tourism projects,” Mr. Shekhawat said at an interaction with the media in New Delhi.

The projects were finalised after extensive regional consultations with State governments. The Tourism Ministry had circulated the SASCI guidelines to the State governments with the request to formulate and submit project proposals.

A total of 87 project proposals were received, which would have cost more than ₹8,000 crore, after which the Ministry shortlisted 40 projects across 23 states at a cost of ₹3,295.76 crore. West Bengal was the only State that had not sent a proposal.

The land for the projects would be provided by the State governments, which would also implement the project and make arrangements for their operation and management post completion.

The funds will be released by the Department of Expenditure (66% in the first instalment) directly to the States concerned and the Ministry of Tourism would monitor the progress.

The States have been given a timeline of two years for completing the projects.

“As part of this initiative, the Tourism Ministry is addressing the overcrowding at popular destinations by encouraging State governments to identify alternative locations for tourism development,” the Union Tourism Minister said.

“The Ministry has also signed MoUs with global hospitality chains to train Indian youth in the tourism sector. After completion of training, they would be absorbed by these very hotel chains,” he said.

Published - November 28, 2024 11:27 pm IST