The Ministry of Tourism is currently in the process of formulating a National Tourism Policy 2015 with the aim of positioning India as a “Must Experience” and “Must Revisit” destination for Global Travellers, encouraging Indians to explore their own country and realising the potential of tourism as a major engine for economic growth, employment generation and poverty alleviation in a responsible framework. The Ministry of Tourism has launched the following new schemes pursuant to the Budget 2014-15 announcements:
1) Swadesh Darshan for integrated Development of Tourist Circuits around specific Themes.
2) National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) to beautify and improve the amenities and infrastructure at pilgrimage centres of all faiths.
(Rs. in Crore)
| Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan | ||||
| 2014-15 | ||||
| Sl. No | Name of the Circuit | State | Name of Project | Amt. Sanctioned |
| 1 | Coastal | Andhra Pradesh | Development of Kakinada Hope Island Konaseema as World class coastal & Eco Tourism Circuit in Andhra Pradesh | 69.83 |
| 2. | North East | Arunachal Pradesh | Bhaulpong – Bomdila – Twang in Arunachal Pradesh | 50.00 |
| 3. | Buddhist Circuit | Bihar | Cultural Centre, Bodhgaya | 33.17 |
| 2015-16 | ||||
| 1 | North East | Manipur | Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal-Moirang-Khongjom-Moreh | 71.82 |
| 2 | North East | Sikkim | Development of Tourist Circuit linking – Rangpo (entry) – Rorathang – Aritar – Phadamchen – Nathang – Sherathang – Tsongmo – Gangtok – Phodong – Mangan – Lachung – Yumthang – Lachen – Thangu –Gurudongmer – Mangan – Gangtok – Tumin Lingee – Singtam (exit) in Sikkim | 98.05 |
| Total | 322.87 | |||
(Rs. in Crore)
| Projects sanctioned under PRASAD (2014-15) | |||
| Sl. No. | Name of the City | Name of the Project | Amt. Sanctioned |
| 1. | Gaya | Dev. of Basic Facilities at Vishnupad Temple, Gaya, Bihar | 4.29 |
| 2. | Puri | Infrastructure Development at Puri, Shree Jagannath Dham – Ramachandi-Prachi River front at Deuli – Dhauli under Mega Circuit | 50.00 |
| 3. | Mathura | Mathura – Vrindavan as a Mega Tourist Circuit (Phase–I) | 14.93 |
| 4. | Mathura | Mathura Tourist Facilitation Center | 9.35 |
The Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr Mahesh Sharma had replied in Lok Sabha about the same.
IndianBureaucracy.com hopes and wishes that the Indian Tourism Industry flourishes and has the potential to become a huge revenue and goodwill earner.