The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 40 projects across 22 states and union territories under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. With an investment outlay of ₹3,295.76 crore, the initiative aims to develop iconic tourist centres to global standards through 100% central funding.
The Ministry released comprehensive operational guidelines and a model detailed project report (DPR) template to assist state governments in preparing project proposals. As a result, 87 proposals were submitted, out of which 40 were selected based on parameters like carrying capacity, potential for eco-tourism, heritage development, and readiness for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) opportunities.
Key Highlights:
- Highest Funded Projects: Karnataka’s Savadatti Yallammagudda (₹131.45 Cr), Madhya Pradesh’s MICE Convention Centre in Bhopal (₹131.54 Cr), and Odisha’s Hirakud Development (₹131.93 Cr) are among the top-funded projects.
- Tourist Carrying Capacity: Bihar’s Karamchat Eco-Tourism Hub can accommodate 33,055 tourists/day, while Telangana’s Ramappa Region is projected to host 89,101 tourists/day by Year 10.
- Unique Concepts:
- Underwater tourism in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra
- Eco-recreational hubs like Ashtamudi in Kerala
- Adventure & cultural tourism in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh
- Spiritual and heritage circuits like Bateshwar and Shrawasti in Uttar Pradesh
The Ministry also directed all participating states to evaluate and finalize tourist carrying capacity by considering physical and environmental constraints. Each approved project was mandated to submit this analysis in its DPR.
Though the SASCI scheme doesn’t directly fund PPP initiatives, the states were encouraged to highlight potential PPP models in their proposals, paving the way for long-term sustainable partnerships in tourism development.
This ambitious push aligns with India’s broader vision of boosting inbound tourism and transforming domestic hotspots into internationally competitive destinations, enhancing both cultural preservation and local economies.
About SASCI:
The SASCI scheme, introduced by the Department of Expenditure (DoE), is a central government initiative providing 100% funding support to states for capital infrastructure in key sectors, including tourism. The “Iconic Tourist Centres” component aims to convert selected destinations into high-impact tourism nodes with integrated services, green infrastructure, and local community engagement.