Development of Tourism Infrastructure in The Country will Augment Night Tourism: Tourism Minister
The Ministry of Tourism promotes the diverse tourist attractions of the country which includes the large gamut of experiences available in the evening, viz. evening Cruises, Illumination of Monuments, Sound and Light Shows, Evening Arti, Night Bazaars, Fairs, etc.
The Ministry under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan-Integrated development of theme based tourist circuits and PRASHAD-National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive provides Central Financial Assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies for development of tourism infrastructure in the country. The components under which funding is provided include, inter-alia, illumination of monuments, illumination of heritage streets, SEL (Sound and Light) shows and laser shows, street lighting, high mast lights, Amphitheaters, tourist villages which would help in promoting tourism to these destinations after sunset as well.
A sum of Rs.5638.87 crore has been sanctioned for a total of 67 projects so far under various thematic circuits of the Swadesh Darshan scheme. A circuit-wise list of the projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan scheme is given below:-
Circuit Wise List of Projects Sanctioned Under The Swadesh Darshan Scheme
(Rs. in Crore)
| Sr. No. | Name of the Theme | No. of projects | Amt. Sanctioned |
| 1. | Coastal Circuit | 11 | 895.98 |
| 2. | Spiritual Circuit | 10 | 678.00 |
| 3. | Heritage Circuit | 9 | 780.23 |
| 4. | North-East Circuit | 8 | 723.57 |
| 5. | Himalayan Circuit | 7 | 668.95 |
| 6. | Buddhist Circuit. | 5 | 361.97 |
| 7. | Eco Circuit | 5 | 460.74 |
| 8. | Tribal Circuit | 4 | 381.37 |
| 9. | Krishna Circuit | 2 | 188.8 |
| 10. | Wildlife Circuit | 2 | 187.89 |
| 11. | Ramayana Circuit | 2 | 202.76 |
| 12. | Desert Circuit (Hot & Cold desert) | 1 | 63.96 |
| 13. | Rural Circuit | 1 | 44.65 |
| TOTAL | 67 | 5638.87 |
This information was given by Shri K. J. Alphons, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
