President Droupadi Murmu offered prayers at Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramarambika temple in Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh.

The President inaugurated project of Development of Srisailam Temple under ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ scheme and inaugurated a Tourism Facilitation Centre.

The ‘PRASHAD’ scheme focuses on developing and identifying pilgrimage sites across the country for enriching religious tourism experience.

The project has been completed with a cost of Rs 43.08 crore. 

PRASHAD scheme

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.

• 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 1,210 crore has been sanctioned for 37 projects in 24 states with the cumulative release of Rs 757 crore till December 31, 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 bazaars/haats/souvenir shops/cafeteria, rain shelters, telecom facilities, internet connectivity, etc. 

• The project “Development of Varanasi Under PRASHAD Scheme – Phase 2” was approved by the ministry of Tourism in February 2018. 

• The components ‘Panchkoshi Path’, ‘Pilgrim Facilitation Center’, ‘Rameshwar’, ‘Road Development’ and ‘Signages’ have been successfully completed and dedicated to the nation. 

• The project “Development of River Cruise in Varanasi under PRASHAD Scheme” was approved with the cost of Rs 10.72 crore in February 2018. The components ‘Passenger Cum Cruise Vehicle’, ‘Modular Jetty’, ‘Audio Visual Interventions’, and ‘CCTV Surveillance’ have been successfully completed and dedicated to the nation.

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