SRINAGAR: The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned several significant projects aimed at enhancing tourism infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, with both the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes playing pivotal roles in the region’s tourism development, the Lok Sabha was told on Monday.
Under the PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme, a major focus is on developing infrastructure at important pilgrimage sites in an integrated and sustainable manner. The scheme prioritises improvements in areas such as livelihoods, skill development, cleanliness, security, accessibility, and service delivery. The Ministry has approved 46 projects under this scheme at a cost of Rs 1,621.14 crore. Among the notable developments is the enhancement of the Hazratbal Shrine in Jammu & Kashmir, where Rs 40.46 crore has been sanctioned to elevate the pilgrimage site’s facilities and amenities. This initiative is expected to attract more visitors to the shrine while also improving the experience for devotees.
In addition, the Swadesh Darshan Scheme aims to boost tourism by focusing on thematic circuits that promote cultural, religious, and natural tourism. Under this scheme, the Ministry has approved 76 projects across the country, with a total allocation of Rs 5,287.90 crore. Furthermore, the scheme was revamped into Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) to focus on developing sustainable and responsible tourism destinations. As part of this, 34 projects have been sanctioned for Rs 793.20 crore. Jammu & Kashmir, a major beneficiary of both versions of the scheme, has seen several projects approved under the Himalayan Circuit, one of the key thematic circuits under Swadesh Darshan.
Among the sanctioned projects in Jammu & Kashmir, significant allocations include Rs 77.33 crore for the development of tourism facilities along the Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Bhagwati Nagar-Anantnag-Salamabad-Uri-Kargil-Leh circuit, aimed at enhancing connectivity and amenities for tourists. Other projects under this circuit include the development of tourist facilities at Jammu-Rajouri-Shopian-Pulwama (Rs 81.60 crore) and the Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Zanskar Padum-Daksum-Ranjit Sagar Dam circuit (Rs 86.39 crore).
Additionally, Rs 90.43 crore has been allocated to reconstruct and develop tourist facilities at locations damaged by the 2014 floods, while another Rs 91.99 crore has been earmarked for tourist facilities at Mantalai and Sudhmahadev. The Gulmarg-Baramulla-Kupwara-Kargil-Leh circuit also received a significant boost, with Rs 91.84 crore approved for developing critical infrastructure and enhancing visitor experiences.
These projects are part of the Indian government’s continued effort to promote Jammu & Kashmir as a premier tourist destination, with a focus on sustainability and responsible tourism practices. The combination of religious, adventure, and heritage tourism, along with robust infrastructure, is expected to provide a long-term boost to the region’s economy, benefiting local communities and creating new avenues for employment.
