Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat told the LS hat the two projects — Development of the North East Circuit – Khongjom and Imphal (Sanctioned in 2015-16) and Development of Spiritual Circuit (Shri Govindajee Temple, Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple, Shri Gopinath Temple, Shri Bungshibodon Temple, Shri Kaina Temple) (Sanctioned in 2016-17)— were completed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
TFM Report
Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has provided details of tourism projects in Manipur that have been approved and sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme
In response to Unstarred Question raised by Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam in the Lok Sabha, the Union Tourism Minister confirmed that under the proposed initiative, the top 50 tourist destinations in India would be developed in partnership with states through a challenge-based selection process. The state governments would be required to provide land for key infrastructure, and hotels in these locations would be included in the Harmonized List of Infrastructure.
According the written reply by the minister in the Partilaiament, the two tourism projects — Development of the North East Circuit – Khongjom and Imphal (Sanctioned in 2015-16) and Development of Spiritual Circuit (Shri Govindajee Temple, Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple, Shri Gopinath Temple, Shri Bungshibodon Temple, Shri Kaina Temple) (Sanctioned in 2016-17)— were completed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
For Development of the North East Circuit, an amount of ₹72.23 crore was sanctioned, out of which ₹61.32 crore was released and ₹61.25 crore utilized as per UC received from the state government.
For Development of Spiritual Circuit an amount of ₹45.34 crore was sanctioned, out of which ₹45.33 crore was released and ₹43.04 crore utilized as per UC received from the state government.
Further Under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for the financial year 2024-25, one project in Manipur has been sanctioned. The project, Loktak Lake Experience will cost ₹89.48 crore. The government released ₹59.05 crore for the project. No Utilization Certificate was yet received from the state government, he said.
During a review meeting held on February 11, 2025, the central government urged the Manipur state government to expedite the commencement of work on the Loktak Lake Experience project, said the minister.
The Tourism Ministry reiterated that while tourism development is primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments/UT Administrations, the central government continues to provide financial assistance through schemes like Swadesh Darshan. Funding is allocated based on proposals submitted by states, adherence to scheme guidelines, and budget availability.
The government has emphasized the need for efficient implementation of approved projects, urging the state administration to ensure timely utilization of allocated funds and submit utilization certificates where pending.
Angomcha Bimol Akoijam raised the questions to the Minister of Tourism whether the Government has any plan for the development of a tourist destination in Manipur, out of the 50 such destinations mentioned in the budget for this financial year,
He sought the details of tourist projects approved and sanctioned by the Government for the State during the last three years; the details of funds released and the progress of works in those projects. He also sought details of project with pending utilization certificates in the State and the details of steps taken by the Government to boost tourism Infrastructure in the State of Manipur.