Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)

These centres, equipped with ATMs or money exchange counters, serve as hubs for disseminating information about the pilgrimage destinations, local culture, and heritage, enhancing tourists' understanding and experience.

The scheme aims to enable convergence between state and central government schemes, as well as private sector initiatives, for integrated site and destination development, fostering collaboration and maximizing resources for tourism development.

By delineating eligible and non-permitted project components, the scheme establishes clear guidelines for project selection, ensuring that funding is directed towards initiatives that align with the scheme's objectives and priorities.

Yes, non-permitted project components include resettlement and rehabilitation packages, operation and maintenance of assets created, investments in private entities' assets, and land acquisition for development purposes.

Infrastructure development projects include the establishment of first aid centres, toilet facilities, waiting areas, and passenger terminals for various modes of transport, as well as improvements in sewerage, water supply, drainage, and roads.

The scheme broadens travel and hospitality education, preserves tourism knowledge, utilizes local expertise in arts and crafts, and offers skill development programs such as 'Hunar Se Rozgar Tak' and 'Earn While You Learn' to empower local communities and enhance their participation in the tourism sector.

The online presence component aims to enhance the digital infrastructure of pilgrimage destinations through data analysis tools, GIS-based portals, and mobile applications, providing tourists with information and improving their overall experience.

Eligible project components include developing online presence tools, capacity development and skill enhancement initiatives, infrastructure development such as first aid centres and directional signage, and restoration and conservation of historic structures and monuments.

The PRASAD scheme aims to strengthen measures for the safety and security of pilgrims and tourists, ensuring a safe and enjoyable tourism experience. It also focuses on improving the quality of tourism services provided at pilgrimage destinations[1].

The scheme enhances tourism attractiveness by integrating pilgrimage destinations in a planned and sustainable manner, developing world-class tourism projects, and promoting heritage and local livelihoods. It positions pilgrimage and heritage tourism as major contributors to economic growth and employment generation[1].

Accreditation by UNESCO and ASI validates the historical significance and authenticity of heritage destinations within cities, making them eligible for prioritization in the PRASAD scheme[1].

Tourist footfall indicates the popularity and tourism potential of a city's heritage destinations. Higher footfall signifies greater demand and attractiveness for tourists, leading to prioritization in scheme inclusion[1].

Heritage cities are chosen based on criteria such as tourist footfall, accreditation of heritage destinations, number of heritage monuments, and funding needs. These factors help prioritize cities for integrated heritage development[1].

Parity for pan India development ensures equitable representation of states on the pilgrimage map. The scheme prioritizes states not covered in the existing list of destinations, aiming for comprehensive national coverage[1].

Credibility of implementation is assessed through the utilization certificate (UC) pendency of state/UT governments and their implementing agencies. States with minimal UC pendency are prioritized for scheme inclusion[1].