₹207 crore support for tourism projects in AP: Union Minister

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture and Member of NITI Aayog, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. PHOTO FILE | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO/ANI

Projects worth ₹ 206.77 crore have been approved under the ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0’ and ‘PRASHAD’ (National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) programs to develop the tourism industry in Andhra Pradesh, Union Tourism Minister Shekhawadra, who was responding to a question raised by Tourism Minister Shekhawa S in Sabhan, asked Lok Gajent S. Gajent. Nellore MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy on Monday.

The Union Minister said that 53 projects worth ₹2,207.08 crore have been approved across the country under ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0’, while 54 projects worth ₹1,726.74 crore have been approved under the ‘PRASHAD’ scheme for tourism infrastructure development.

In Andhra Pradesh, projects worth ₹127.40 crore have been approved under ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0’ and ₹79.37 crore under ‘PRASHAD’.

“Suryalanka Beach project worth ₹ 97.52 crore was approved on 29 March 2025, out of which expenditure of ₹ 48.76 crore has been sanctioned. Under this project, works such as construction of approach plaza, shopping streets, parking facilities, experience zone with canal and development of beach infrastructure at pan Shekhawa are being carried out.

The ₹29.88 crore Araku–Lambasingi–Borra Caves project was approved on 5 March 2024 with an expenditure sanction of ₹14.94 crore. The works being carried out here include the construction of Borra Caves entrance, arrival plaza, visitor centre, cave lighting, parking lot and market street,” the minister added.

Talking about the projects under ‘PRASAD’ scheme in AP, the Union Minister said, “₹54.04 crore has been sanctioned for Simhachalam Devasthanam in Visakhapatnam, of which ₹27.37 crore has been sanctioned for development of facilities like pilgrim centre, amphitheatre, amphitheater, Yagas hall with view points and watch towers.”

“In Annavaram Devasthanam, ₹25.33 crore has been sanctioned for development of facilities like annadanam (free food) canteen, queue complex, toilets, drinking water ATMs, solar lights, 0.5 MLD sewage treatment plant, electric carts, charging stations and fire protection systems,” ₹79 reported.

Published – 20 Jul 2026 21:19 IST