IT News
New Delhi, March 10:
The Central Government has sanctioned Rs. 89.48 crore for the Loktak Lake Experience Project in Manipur under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale. However, despite the release of Rs. 59.05 crore, the State Government has yet to submit a utilization certificate, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said.
Responding to an unstarred question by MP Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam in the Lok Sabha, the minister emphasized that the Centre is working with states through a challenge mode to develop 50 key tourist destinations across the country, as announced in the Union Budget 2025-26. Under this initiative, states must provide land for infrastructure development, and hotels in these locations will be included in the Harmonized List of Infrastructure to attract investment.
The minister further added, “During a review meeting on February 11, 2025, the Central Government urged Manipur to expedite work on the Loktak Lake Experience Project, given its significance in boosting tourism in the state.”
Responding to other questions, the Tourism Ministry has been actively supporting Manipur’s tourism sector through the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, which funds tourism-related projects. The Imphal-Khongjom Tourist Circuit, approved in 2015-16, had a sanctioned amount of Rs. 72.23 crore, with Rs. 61.32 crore released and Rs. 61.25 crore utilized. Similarly, the Spiritual Circuit Project of 2016-17, covering Shri Govindajee Temple, Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple, Shri Gopinath Temple, Shri Bungshibodon Temple, and Shri Kaina Temple, had a sanctioned amount of Rs. 45.34 crore, with Rs. 45.33 crore released and Rs. 43.04 crore utilized.
The Central Government continues to push for the rapid development of iconic tourist destinations across India, ensuring infrastructure and investment support for sustainable tourism growth.
