As per the request received from Bihar government, the ministry of tourism has included Punaura Dham in the Ramayana circuit of Swadesh Darshan scheme. This was mentioned by Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

Punaura Dham has also been included under PRASHAD scheme of the ministry of tourism. 

PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan

For tourism infrastructure creation in the country, the ministry of tourism has two major schemes, launched during 2014-15.

They are:

1) Swadesh Darshan: Integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.

2) PRASHAD: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive for development of tourism infrastructure in the country including historical places and heritage cities.

1) Swadesh Darshan

Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, the government is developing critical tourism infrastructure in the country in a sustainable and inclusive manner to make India into a world class tourist destination. 

Swadesh Darshan scheme has a vision to develop theme based tourist circuits on the principles of high tourist value, competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner by synergizing efforts to focus on needs and concerns of all stakeholders to enrich tourist experience and enhance employment opportunities. 

Under the scheme, 15 thematic circuits have been identified for development. They are:

• North-East India Circuit

• Buddhist Circuit

• Himalayan Circuit

• Coastal Circuit

• Krishna Circuit

• Desert Circuit

• Tribal Circuit

• Eco Circuit

• Wildlife Circuit

• Rural Circuit

• Spiritual Circuit

• Ramayana Circuit

• Heritage Circuit

• Tirthankar Circuit

• Sufi Circuit. 

The scheme has following objectives:

• Position tourism as a major engine of economic growth and job creation.

• Develop circuits having tourist potential in a planned and prioritised manner.

• Promote cultural and heritage value of the country to generate livelihoods in the identified regions.

• Enhance the tourist attractiveness in a sustainable manner by developing world class infrastructure in the circuit/destinations.

• Follow community based development and pro-poor tourism approach.

• Create awareness among the local communities about the importance of tourism for them in terms of increased sources of income, improved living standards and overall development of the area.

• Create employment through active involvement of local communities.

• Harness tourism potential for its effects in employment generation and economic development. 

• Make full use of the potential and advantages in terms of available infrastructure, national culture and characteristic strong points of each and every region throughout the country by development of theme based circuits.

Since the inception of the scheme, an amount of Rs 5,684.67 crore has been sanctioned for 76 projects with a total release of Rs 4,278.88 crore (till December 31, 2020) covering all thematic circuits under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.

2) PRASHAD scheme

• Under PRASHAD scheme, 57 sites have been identified at present in 29 states/UTs for development. Since the inception of the scheme, an amount of Rs 1,160.55 crore has been sanctioned for 36 projects in 24 states with the cumulative release of Rs 622.08 crore till January 12, 2021.

• PRASHAD is a central sector scheme fully financed by the government of India.

• The scheme is aimed at infrastructure development such as entry points (road, rail and water transport), last mile connectivity, basic tourism facilities like information/interpretation centers, ATM/money exchange, eco-friendly modes of transport, area lighting and illumination with renewable sources of energy, parking, drinking water, toilets, cloak room, waiting rooms, first aid centers, craft bazars/haats/souvenir shops/cafeteria, rain shelters, telecom facilities, internet connectivity, etc.

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