New Delhi, June 25 (IANS) The government’s flagship schemes have transformed tourism infrastructure across India, with 76 Swadesh Darshan projects and 54 projects worth more than Rs 1700 crore under PRASHAD scheme, an official statement said on Thursday.

Under the first phase of the Swadesh Darshan scheme to develop tourism infrastructure in the country, an investment of over Rs 5,000 crore has been made across 15 tourist circuits nationwide.

Of these, 75 projects have been physically completed, resulting in improved visitor amenities, enhanced connectivity, and strengthened tourist facilitation infrastructure.

The PRASHAD pilgrimage scheme has sanctioned 54 projects worth over Rs 1,700 crore. It has significantly improved convenience and safety at high-footfall spiritual destinations such as Somnath, Srisailam, and the holy Govardhan in Uttar Pradesh.

In addition, Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) has approved 40 projects across 23 states with an outlay of Rs 3,295.76 crore. The scheme aims to transform high-potential destinations into world-class tourism hubs.

From 2014 to 2025, India recorded 181.25 million international arrivals and 93.35 million foreign tourist arrivals. International arrivals represent the total number of visitors entering India, including both foreign nationals and non-resident Indians (NRIs).

Over 100 destinations have been upgraded over the last decade and proposed development of 50 key destinations will further enhance destination quality, amenities, and tourism readiness.

Travel facilitation is being strengthened through the significant expansion of the e-Visa system, making India more accessible to visitors from a large number of countries.

The country is steadily positioning itself as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations, the statement noted. India is currently ranked eighth among the world’s top tourism economies, and the sector contributes $231.6 billion to the national economy.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) projected India to rise to the fourth place globally over the next decade.

—IANS

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