Home Latest News Centre Sanctions ₹5,756 Crore for 117 Tourism Projects; No New Project for...

Centre Sanctions ₹5,756 Crore for 117 Tourism Projects; No New Project for J&K, Ladakh Gets Two

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21 July 2026

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Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar, July 21: The Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 117 tourism infrastructure projects worth ₹5,756.62 crore across the country during the last two financial years under various central schemes, but Jammu & Kashmir has not been allocated any new project under the latest approvals, according to information tabled in Parliament.

The details were provided by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on July 20.

The sanctioned projects span schemes including Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), PRASHAD, Assistance to Central Agencies, Development of Tribal Homestays under DA-JUGA, and the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.

While several states received multiple tourism projects ranging from eco-tourism and spiritual circuits to convention centres and heritage destinations, Jammu & Kashmir does not figure in any of the lists of newly sanctioned projects under these schemes.

In contrast, neighbouring Ladakh secured two tourism projects during the period.

Under the Challenge Based Destination Development Scheme, Ladakh received approval for a ₹9.78 crore project aimed at developing Mushkoo village as a sustainable tourism hub integrating wildlife tourism and community development.

Additionally, under the Development of Tribal Homestays initiative under DA-JUGA, Ladakh was sanctioned ₹4.59 crore for developing tribal homestays in the Sham, Suru and Aryan Valley clusters.

Several Himalayan and neighbouring states received significant allocations. Uttarakhand secured projects including a ₹100 crore rafting base station in Rishikesh, while Himachal Pradesh obtained funding for tourism infrastructure in Kaza and Rakchham village. Sikkim, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh also received multiple tourism infrastructure projects.

Among the major allocations under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme were projects worth nearly ₹100 crore each for destinations such as Loktak Lake in Manipur, Umiam Lake in Meghalaya, Hirakud in Odisha, Jal Mahal in Jaipur and several eco-tourism and convention infrastructure projects across the country.

The Ministry said the projects are intended to strengthen tourism infrastructure, promote niche tourism segments such as eco, adventure, spiritual and rural tourism, and improve visitor amenities across the country. The government has also been promoting destinations through the revamped Incredible India digital platform, international roadshows and improved visa and connectivity measures.

The absence of any fresh tourism infrastructure project for Jammu and Kashmir comes despite the Union Territory being one of India’s premier tourism destinations and amid continued efforts to boost visitor arrivals and diversify tourism offerings in the region.

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