The Centre has sanctioned Central Financial Assistance (CFA) amounting to Rs 2,998.87 crore for 60 tourism projects across the Northeast under multiple flagship schemes aimed at strengthening tourism infrastructure, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the Rajya Sabha on July 23.
The details were shared in a written reply to an unstarred question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Rwngwra Narzary.
According to the minister, the projects have been approved under the Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) schemes. He said the release of funds is subject to compliance with scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and the availability of funds.
Shekhawat also highlighted promotional initiatives undertaken by the Centre to showcase the Northeast’s tourism potential. He said the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) organised the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav 2024 in New Delhi from December 6 to 8, 2024, featuring the region’s crafts, art, culture and cuisine. Based on inputs from the DoNER Ministry, he said the event significantly enhanced the Northeast’s visibility and branding while creating economic opportunities for artisans and entrepreneurs.
The minister further stated that the Ministry of Tourism organises the International Tourism Mart every year on a rotational basis across the northeastern states to promote the region as a tourism destination, attract investment and strengthen engagement with stakeholders. He also noted that the DoNER Ministry hosted the Rising North East Investors Summit in New Delhi in May 2025.
Referring to Assam, Shekhawat said the Centre has been extending financial assistance for the development of tourism circuits, including national parks, while promoting these destinations through digital campaigns, tourism events and other outreach initiatives to increase visitor numbers.
He also shared tourism data for Assam’s national parks, stating that Kaziranga National Park recorded the highest tourist footfall in the state. Domestic tourist arrivals increased from 3,06,979 in 2023-24 to 4,35,138 in 2025-26, while foreign tourist arrivals rose from 13,904 to 29,883 during the same period. Revenue generated by the park also increased from Rs 8.88 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 11.11 crore in 2025-26, the highest among Assam’s national parks.
