₹207 crore boost for tourism projects in A.P.: Union Minister
Projects worth ₹206.77 crore have been sanctioned under the ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0’ and ‘PRASHAD’ (Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) schemes for
Projects worth ₹206.77 crore have been sanctioned under the ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0’ and ‘PRASHAD’ (Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) schemes for the development of the tourism sector in Andhra Pradesh, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the Lok Sabha in response to a question raised by Nellore MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy on Monday. The Union Minister said that across the country 53 projects worth ₹2,207.08 crore have been sanctioned under the ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0’, while 54 projects worth ₹1,726.74 crore have been approved under the ‘PRASHAD’ scheme for tourism infrastructure development.
In Andhra Pradesh, projects worth ₹127.40 crore were sanctioned under the ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0’ and ₹79.37 crore under the ‘PRASHAD’ scheme. “The Suryalanka Beach project worth ₹97.52 crore was approved on March 29, 2025, of which authorisation for an expenditure of ₹48.76 crore was granted. As part of this project, works such as the construction of an arrival plaza, a shopping street, parking facilities, a canal experience zone, and the development of beach infrastructure are being undertaken,” Mr. Shekhawat said in a statement.
The Araku–Lambasingi–Borra Caves project worth ₹29.88 crore was approved on March 5, 2024, with ₹14.94 crore sanction for expenditure. The works being undertaken here include the development of the Borra Caves entrance, an arrival plaza, a visitor centre, cave lighting, parking facilities, and a market street,” the Minister added. Speaking about projects under ‘PRASAD’ scheme in A.P., the Union Minister said, “₹54.04 crore has been approved for the Simhachalam Devasthanam in Visakhapatnam, of which ₹27.37 crore
was sanctioned for developing facilities such as pilgrims amenities centre, an amphitheater, Yagashala (ritual hall), a kitchen, and a multi-purpose hall, along with view points and watchtowers.” “At the Annavaram Devasthanam ₹25.33 crore was approved for developing facilities like annadanam (free meal) dining hall, queue complex, toilets, drinking water ATMs, solar-powered lights, 0.5 MLD capacity Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), EV buggies, charging stations and fire safety systems, of this ₹13.79 crore has been granted,” he informed.
The BriefWire