:Mumbai, January 29, 2026

Development and promotion of tourism destinations and products is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Governments (SGs) and Union Territory Administrations (UTAs). However, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, complements these efforts by extending financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development through its Central Sector schemes, namely Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0), and Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme under Swadesh Darshan 2.0.

These schemes provide financial assistance to States and Union Territories on receipt of project proposals submitted in accordance with the scheme guidelines, Government directions, availability of funds, and inter-se priority. While submission of project proposals under the Swadesh Darshan scheme is an ongoing process, the scheme is presently approved up to March 2026.

In the State of Maharashtra, several projects have been sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, and CBDD, including projects in coastal regions. Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, two major projects have been completed. These include the Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit covering Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach and Creek) and Mitbhav, sanctioned in 2015-16 at a cost of ₹19.06 crore, against which ₹18.10 crore has been released. Another project, Development of Waki–Adasa–Dhapewada–Paradsingha–Telankhandi–Girad Spiritual Circuit, sanctioned in 2018-19, received ₹45.47 crore, with ₹43.19 crore released, and has also been physically completed.

Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, the Shivshrushti Theme Park project in Pune was sanctioned during 2024-25 with an approved outlay of ₹76.22 crore, of which ₹7.62 crore has been released. The project is presently at the implementation stage.

Additionally, under the Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) scheme, the Development of Ahmednagar Fort under the Culture and Heritage category was sanctioned in 2024-25 with an approved cost of ₹25.00 crore, and ₹2.50 crore has been released so far. The project is currently under implementation.

This was stated in a written reply to an unstarred question by the  Minister of Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in Rajya Sabha today.

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PIB Mumbai | Sriyanka Chatterjee/Robin Singh/Parshuram Kor

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