Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the Lok Sabha on July 20, 2026, that the Union Government has sanctioned projects worth ₹206.77 crore for Andhra Pradesh. The funding covers ₹127.40 crore under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and ₹79.37 crore under the PRASHAD scheme. The projects aim to upgrade infrastructure at key tourist destinations including Suryalanka Beach, Araku-Lambasingi-Borra Caves, Simhachalam Devasthanam, and Annavaram Devasthanam. Nationally, 53 projects worth ₹2,207.08 crore under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and 54 projects worth ₹1,726.74 crore under PRASHAD have been sanctioned.
Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the Lok Sabha on July 20, 2026, about central funding for Andhra Pradesh tourism. The Ministry has approved projects totaling ₹206.77 crore across two major central schemes. The response was tabled following a parliamentary question raised by Nellore Lok Sabha MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy.
The announcement was made in the Lok Sabha, New Delhi, during the Monsoon Session on July 20, 2026. The projects target four key locations in Andhra Pradesh: Suryalanka Beach (Bapatla), Araku–Lambasingi–Borra Caves (Alluri Sitharama Raju district), Simhachalam Devasthanam (Visakhapatnam), and Annavaram Devasthanam (Kakinada district).
📌 [BACKGROUND — verify independently]
📌 [BACKGROUND — verify independently]
Core Concept: Swadesh Darshan & PRASHAD Schemes
Q1. Under which scheme was the ₹97.52 crore project for Suryalanka Beach development sanctioned? [Easy]
A) PRASHAD Scheme
B) Swadesh Darshan 2.0
C) HRIDAY Scheme
D) PM-Gati Shakti
Answer: B
Explanation: The Suryalanka Beach project worth ₹97.52 crore was sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.
Q2. Which Union Ministry administers the PRASHAD scheme? [Easy]
A) Ministry of Culture
B) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
C) Ministry of Tourism
D) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Answer: C
Explanation: The PRASHAD scheme is a flagship Central Sector Scheme administered by the Union Ministry of Tourism.
Q3. What is the expanded full form of the PRASHAD scheme? [Moderate]
A) Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive
B) Program for Rural and Spiritual Heritage Development
C) Pilgrimage Restoration and Sacred Heritage Assistance Division
D) Public Rejuvenation and Spiritual Habitat Advancement Drive
Answer: A
Explanation: PRASHAD stands for Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive.
Q4. Borra Caves, included under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 circuit development, are formed by which river? [Moderate]
A) Godavari River
B) Gosthani River
C) Krishna River
D) Penna River
Answer: B
Explanation: Borra Caves are natural limestone karst formations located in the Ananthagiri hills and formed by the Gosthani River.
Q5. How many total projects have been sanctioned nationally under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme as per the July 2026 Lok Sabha statement? [Moderate]
A) 40 projects
B) 53 projects
C) 65 projects
D) 78 projects
Answer: B
Explanation: Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated that 53 projects worth ₹2,207.08 crore have been sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 across India.
Q6. Statement 1: Both Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and PRASHAD are 100% centrally funded Central Sector Schemes.
Statement 2: Swadesh Darshan 2.0 primarily focuses on theme-based linear tourism circuits rather than individual destinations. [Tricky]
A) Statement 1 is correct, Statement 2 is incorrect
B) Statement 1 is incorrect, Statement 2 is correct
C) Both Statements are correct
D) Both Statements are incorrect
Answer: A
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as both are 100% centrally funded Central Sector Schemes; Statement 2 is incorrect because Swadesh Darshan 2.0 shifted focus from linear theme circuits to sustainable destination development.
Q7. Which of the following amenity components was specifically approved under the PRASHAD scheme for Annavaram Devasthanam? [Tricky]
A) Ropeway cable car system and hill track
B) 0.5 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant and EV buggies
C) International convention hall and helipad
D) Floating jetty and sound-and-light laser show
Answer: B
Explanation: Approved components at Annavaram include a 0.5 MLD capacity Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), solar lights, drinking water ATMs, and EV buggies.
Q8. Which district of Andhra Pradesh hosts the Araku-Lambasingi-Borra Caves tourism project approved under Swadesh Darshan 2.0? [Tricky]
A) Visakhapatnam district
B) Alluri Sitharama Raju district
C) Anakapalli district
D) East Godavari district
Answer: B
Explanation: Araku Valley, Lambasingi, and Borra Caves are located in the Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district of Andhra Pradesh.
PYQ 1:
With reference to tourism infrastructure development in India, consider the 'Swadesh Darshan' scheme. What is its primary feature?
A) Providing soft loans to private hotel chains
B) 100% central funding for integrated destination-based tourism development
C) Financial assistance only to UNESCO World Heritage Sites
D) Equal cost-sharing between Centre and States in a 50:50 ratio
Answer: B
Explanation: Swadesh Darshan is a Central Sector Scheme providing 100% central financial assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations for tourism infrastructure.
PYQ 2:
Consider the following statements regarding the PRASHAD scheme:
1. It was launched by the Union Ministry of Culture.
2. It aims at holistic development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.
3. Funding under this scheme includes 100% central financial assistance for approved public infrastructure components.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 2 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because PRASHAD is administered by the Ministry of Tourism. Statements 2 and 3 are correct.
PYQ 3:
Match List-I (Tourism Site) with List-II (Key Geographical / Scheme Feature):
List-I:
a) Borra Caves b) Suryalanka c) Simhachalam d) Annavaram
List-II:
1. Coastal Beach Infrastructure under SD 2.0
2. Limestone Cave System in Eastern Ghats
3. Pilgrim amenities under PRASHAD scheme
4. Eco-friendly STP and EV Buggy facilities under PRASHAD
Select the correct code:
A) a-2, b-1, c-3, d-4
B) a-1, b-2, c-4, d-3
C) a-2, b-3, c-1, d-4
D) a-4, b-1, c-3, d-2
Answer: A
Explanation: Borra Caves are limestone caves in Eastern Ghats (a-2); Suryalanka is coastal beach under SD 2.0 (b-1); Simhachalam receives pilgrim amenities under PRASHAD (c-3); Annavaram includes STP and EV buggies under PRASHAD (d-4).
Question 1 (150 words): Discuss the significance of central sector schemes like Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and PRASHAD in boosting sustainable tourism and local economy in coastal and tribal regions of India.
The Union Government's sanction of ₹206.77 crore for tourism projects in Andhra Pradesh highlights the strategic role of Central Sector Schemes in regional economic development. Schemes like Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and PRASHAD provide 100% central financial assistance to bridge critical infrastructure gaps at tourist and pilgrimage sites.
In eco-sensitive tribal areas like Araku and Borra Caves, project allocations (₹29.88 crore) fund visitor plazas, organized market streets, and cave lighting, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local tribal communities without disturbing ecological balance. Similarly, coastal development at Suryalanka Beach (₹97.52 crore) enhances visitor experience while spurring growth in local hospitality and transport sectors.
Furthermore, PRASHAD projects incorporate eco-friendly infrastructure such as 0.5 MLD Sewage Treatment Plants, solar lighting, and EV buggies at sacred sites like Annavaram. Developing resilient infrastructure fosters inclusive growth, preserves cultural heritage, and positions states to realize the full potential of the tourism multiplier effect.
Question 2 (250 words): Analyze the structural challenges facing India's tourism sector. How do initiatives like destination-centric development and pilgrimage rejuvenation address these issues while aligning with sustainable development goals?
India possesses immense natural, historical, and cultural assets, yet tourism contributes under 6% to the national GDP, well below the global benchmark. The sector historically faced structural bottlenecks, including fragmented circuit planning, inadequate last-mile connectivity, poor sanitation facilities, and unorganized vendor ecosystems at prominent heritage and pilgrimage destinations.
To systematically overcome these challenges, the Ministry of Tourism restructured its flagship interventions. The transition from Swadesh Darshan 1.0 to Swadesh Darshan 2.0 marks a policy shift from linear theme circuits toward holistic, sustainable destination-centric management. Under this framework, projects such as the ₹97.52 crore Suryalanka Beach development focus on capacity building, planned shopping corridors, and structured parking.
Simultaneously, the PRASHAD scheme addresses pilgrimage congestion by modernizing public utilities at high-footfall religious nodes like Simhachalam (₹54.04 crore) and Annavaram (₹25.33 crore). By integrating solar lighting, EV buggies, and Sewage Treatment Plants, these projects directly advance UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption).
However, central funding alone cannot ensure long-term viability. Achieving world-class tourism standards requires robust Operations and Maintenance (O&M) frameworks, active Private-Public Partnerships (PPP), and local community participation in asset management. Aligning state tourism policies with central schemes will ensure that tourism acts as a primary catalyst for job creation and sustainable economic expansion across India.