Budget 2024 : Port connectivity projects, tourism infra to be built on islands

NEW DELHI : Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman in her interim budget speech for 2024-25, outlined that projects for port connectivity, tourism infrastructure, and amenities will be taken up on the country’s islands, including Lakshadweep.

“States will be encouraged to take up comprehensive development of iconic tourist centres, branding and marketing them at global scale,” said Sitharaman.

“A framework for rating of the centres based on quality of facilities and services will be established. Long-term interest free loans will be provided to States for financing such development on a matching basis,” she added.

Sitharaman highlighted that the G20 Summit organised by India in 2023, showcased India’s tourism potential in about sixty places.

“Tourism, including spiritual tourism, has tremendous opportunities for local entrepreneurship,” she said.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recently visited Lakshadweep Island and called upon enhanced development on the island in addition to creating futuristic infrastructure and creating opportunities for better healthcare, faster internet and drinking water.

The government has allocated Rs. 1,750.00 crores, up over two times from the revised estimates of 2023-24, towards Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits around specific themes (Swadesh Darshan), a central sector scheme.