MoT inaugurates PRASAD Scheme projects in UP

Context

The Ministry of Tourism has allocated INR 500 crore to the state of Uttar Pradesh under its Swadesh Darshan’s scheme for strengthening tourism infrastructure through various spiritual circuits such as the Ramayana and Buddha circuits.  

• The Ministry has also inaugurated various components of the “Development of Govardhan, Mathura '' project under PRASAD Scheme.

What is the PRASAD Scheme?

• Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) is a central sector scheme that focuses on identifying and developing the pilgrim sites across the country to enrich the religious tourism experience.
• It was launched by the Ministry of Tourism.
• It aims at integrated development of pilgrimage destinations in planned, prioritized and sustainable manner to provide complete religious tourism experience.
• 12 cities namely Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), Gaya (Bihar), Dwarka (Gujarat), Amritsar (Punjab), Ajmer (Rajasthan), Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu), Velankanni (Tamil Nadu), Puri (Odisha), Varanasi(Uttar Pradesh), Mathura(Uttar Pradesh), Kedarnath (Uttarakhand) and Kamakhya (Assam) have been identified for development under the scheme.

Funding 

• The scheme shall be 100% centrally funded for the project components undertaken for public funding. 
• Efforts will be made to achieve convergence with other schemes of Central and State governments and also to leverage the voluntary funding available for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). 

Objective of the Scheme

• The scheme has the following objectives:
• Harness pilgrimage tourism for its direct and multiplier effect upon employment generation and economic development.
• Enhance tourist attractiveness in a sustainable manner by developing world class infrastructure in the religious destinations.
• Promote local art, culture, handicraft, cuisine, etc. to generate livelihood in identified places.