Ministry of Tourism SASCI Initiative for Promotion of Lesser-Known Destinations 21 AUG 2025 4:23PM by PIB Delhi With the aim to develop iconic tourist centres in the country, the Ministry of Tourism issued operational guidelines along with detailed project report template under ‘Special Assistance to the States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ scheme. Accordingly, the State Governments submitted their project proposals on the online portal and 40 projects were sanctioned under the scheme for Rs.3295.76 Crore by Government of India with 100% central funding, the details of which is annexed. SASCI scheme aims to develop end to end tourist experience that creates intended value while adopting the responsible tourism practices. The projects under the scheme were selected on challenge method and the parameters for the same covered multiple areas such as connectivity to the site, existing tourism eco-system, carrying capacity, availability of utilities, project impact & value envisaged which included expected increase in footfall within the prescribed carrying capacity, attract high value domestic and foreign tourists, increase tourism spends, creation of new employment opportunities, enabling sustainability and responsible tourism, private investment etc. As per the operational guidelines for SASCI scheme, while funding for developing the projects is done by the Government of India, operation and maintenance of the project shall be the responsibility of the respective State Government. Implementation of projects under the scheme is expected to boost local economy and creating opportunities for local artisans and community. This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today. Sunil Kumar Tiwari tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com List of Projects sanctioned under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI Scheme) - Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale: (Amount In ₹ Crore) Year of Sanction Name of the Project Sanctioned Cost Andhra Pradesh Enriching the fort and Gorge Experience in Gandikota Andhra Pradesh Akhanda Godavari- (Havelok Bridge &PushkarGhat) in Raja Mahendravaram, Arunachal Pradesh Siang Adventure & Eco-Retreat in Pasighat Assam State Zoo Cum Botanical Garden in Guwahati Beautification of Rang Ghar in Sivasagar Development of Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub in Karamchat Chhattisgarh Development of Chitrotpala Film City in Raipur Chhattisgarh Development of Tribal & Cultural Convention Centre in Raipur Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Ponda Townsquare in Porvorim Ecotourism Destination at Kerly (Mokarsagar) in Porbandar Tented City and Convention Centre in Dhordo Eco-Tourism Development of Tilaiyya” in Koderma Ecotourism & Cultural Hub at Roerich and Devika Rani Estate Tataguni in Bengaluru Development of SavadattiYallammagudda in Belgavi Ashtamudi Biodiversity and Eco-recreational Hub in Kollam Global Gateway to Malabar's Cultural Crucible in Sargaalayaa Madhya Pradesh Orchha A Medieval Splendour in Orchha Madhya Pradesh International Convention Centre for MICE in Bhopal Maharashtra INS-Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial Reef, and submarine Tourism in Sindhudurg Maharashtra Development of RAM-KAL PATH in Nashik Loktak Lake Experience in Loktak MICE Infrastructure in Mawkhanu Redevelopment of Umiam Lake in Shillong Development of Hirakund Development of Satkosia Development of Heritage Street as a tribute to Shaheed-e-Azam, SardarBhaghat Singh at Khatkar Kalan in SBS Nagar Development at Amber-Nahargarh and Surrounding Area in Jaipur Development at Jalmahal in Jaipur Skywalk, Bhaleydhunga, Yangang in Namchi Border Experience in Nathula Development of Nandavanam Heritage Park in Mammallapuram Garden of Flowers in Devala Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit in Ramappa Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat in Nallamala Shakti Peethas Park at Banduar in Gomati Uttar Pradesh Development of Bateshwar in District-Agra Uttar Pradesh Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development in Shrawasti Uttarakhand Iconic City Rishikesh: Rafting Base Station in Rishikesh (Release ID: 2159117) Ministry of Tourism SASCI Initiative for Promotion of Lesser-Known Destinations 21 AUG 2025 4:23PM by PIB Delhi With the aim to develop iconic tourist centres in the country, the Ministry of Tourism issued operational guidelines along with detailed project report template under ‘Special Assistance to the States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ scheme. Accordingly, the State Governments submitted their project proposals on the online portal and 40 projects were sanctioned under the scheme for Rs.3295.76 Crore by Government of India with 100% central funding, the details of which is annexed. SASCI scheme aims to develop end to end tourist experience that creates intended value while adopting the responsible tourism practices. The projects under the scheme were selected on challenge method and the parameters for the same covered multiple areas such as connectivity to the site, existing tourism eco-system, carrying capacity, availability of utilities, project impact & value envisaged which included expected increase in footfall within the prescribed carrying capacity, attract high value domestic and foreign tourists, increase tourism spends, creation of new employment opportunities, enabling sustainability and responsible tourism, private investment etc. As per the operational guidelines for SASCI scheme, while funding for developing the projects is done by the Government of India, operation and maintenance of the project shall be the responsibility of the respective State Government. Implementation of projects under the scheme is expected to boost local economy and creating opportunities for local artisans and community. This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today. Sunil Kumar Tiwari tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com List of Projects sanctioned under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI Scheme) - Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale: (Amount In ₹ Crore) Year of Sanction Name of the Project Sanctioned Cost Andhra Pradesh Enriching the fort and Gorge Experience in Gandikota Andhra Pradesh Akhanda Godavari- (Havelok Bridge &PushkarGhat) in Raja Mahendravaram, Arunachal Pradesh Siang Adventure & Eco-Retreat in Pasighat Assam State Zoo Cum Botanical Garden in Guwahati Beautification of Rang Ghar in Sivasagar Development of Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub in Karamchat Chhattisgarh Development of Chitrotpala Film City in Raipur Chhattisgarh Development of Tribal & Cultural Convention Centre in Raipur Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Ponda Townsquare in Porvorim Ecotourism Destination at Kerly (Mokarsagar) in Porbandar Tented City and Convention Centre in Dhordo Eco-Tourism Development of Tilaiyya” in Koderma Ecotourism & Cultural Hub at Roerich and Devika Rani Estate Tataguni in Bengaluru Development of SavadattiYallammagudda in Belgavi Ashtamudi Biodiversity and Eco-recreational Hub in Kollam Global Gateway to Malabar's Cultural Crucible in Sargaalayaa Madhya Pradesh Orchha A Medieval Splendour in Orchha Madhya Pradesh International Convention Centre for MICE in Bhopal Maharashtra INS-Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial Reef, and submarine Tourism in Sindhudurg Maharashtra Development of RAM-KAL PATH in Nashik Loktak Lake Experience in Loktak MICE Infrastructure in Mawkhanu Redevelopment of Umiam Lake in Shillong Development of Hirakund Development of Satkosia Development of Heritage Street as a tribute to Shaheed-e-Azam, SardarBhaghat Singh at Khatkar Kalan in SBS Nagar Development at Amber-Nahargarh and Surrounding Area in Jaipur Development at Jalmahal in Jaipur Skywalk, Bhaleydhunga, Yangang in Namchi Border Experience in Nathula Development of Nandavanam Heritage Park in Mammallapuram Garden of Flowers in Devala Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit in Ramappa Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat in Nallamala Shakti Peethas Park at Banduar in Gomati Uttar Pradesh Development of Bateshwar in District-Agra Uttar Pradesh Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development in Shrawasti Uttarakhand Iconic City Rishikesh: Rafting Base Station in Rishikesh (Release ID: 2159117)