PRASHAD, Swadesh Darshan schemes
Basohli identified under ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0’
Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 8: Under ‘PRASHAD’ and ‘Swadesh Darshan’ schemes of the Government of India, over Rs 450 crore have been spent in Jammu and Kashmir till date for developing infrastructure at tourist destinations including religious sites.
In a written reply to a question regarding projects included in ‘PRASHAD’ scheme and ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme and amount spent on these projects, Minister of Tourism G Kishan Reddy today informed the Rajya Sabha that ‘PRASHAD’ (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) and ‘Swadesh Darshan’ schemes were launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2014-15.
The Minister said that primary objective of ‘PRASHAD” scheme is to develop tourism infrastructure at pilgrimage and heritage sites, ensuring a more enriching experience for the multitude of pilgrims and heritage enthusiasts while as ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme is aimed at developing theme-based tourist circuits in the country.
“Under ‘PRASHAD’ scheme, the project ‘Development at Hazratbal Shrine’ was sanctioned in Jammu and Kashmir in the year 2016-17 at an approved cost of Rs 40.46 crore and of the approved cost, Rs 34.30 crore stands released,” the Minister informed the Rajya Sabhya. He further added that Utterbehni and Purmandal in Samba district of J&K have been identified as new sites for development under PRASHAD scheme.
Regarding ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme, the Minister informed that 6 projects were sanctioned for the erstwhile J&K State in the year 2016-17 at an estimated cost of Rs 448 crore. The projects included Development of Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Bhagwati Nagar-Anantnag-Salamabad Uri-Kargil-Leh at an approved cost of 77.33 crore of which 67.37 crore stands released and Development of Tourist Facilities at Jammu-Rajouri-Shopian-Pulwama at approved cost of Rs 81.60 crore of which 67.35 crore have been released.
“Other four projects sanctioned under ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme are Development of Tourist Facilities-Construction of Assets in lieu of those Destroyed in Floods in 2014 under PM Development Package at a cost of Rs 90.43 crore, Development of Tourist Facilities at Mantalai and Sudhmahadev at a cost of Rs 91.99 crore, Development of Tourist Facilities at Anantnag-Pulwama-Kishtwar-Pahalgam-Zanskar Padum-Daksum-Ranjit Sagar Dam at a cost of Rs 86.39 crore and Development of Tourist Facilities at Gulmarg-Baramulla-Kupwara-Kargil-Leh at an approved cost of Rs 91.84 crore,” the Minister disclosed while adding that Rs 74.70 crore, Rs 87.19 crore, Rs 69.95 crore and Rs 82.16 crore have been released for these projects, respectively.
The Minister further informed the House that Tourism Ministry has now revamped ‘Swadesh Darshan’ as ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0’ scheme with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations, following a tourist and destination centric approach. “Basohli in Kathua district of J&K and Leh and Kargil of Ladakh UT have been identified to develop under ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0’ scheme,” Reddy added.
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