Will encourage pilgrimage tourism: President

A national mission will be launched to beautify and improve amenities and infrastructure at pilgrimage centres, said President Pranab Mukherjee Monday, hoping this move will encourage pilgrimage tourism.

"India has a vast untapped potential for tourism which can play a special role in our socio-economic progress. The government will initiate a mission mode project to create 50 tourist circuits that are built around specific themes," the president said while addressing the joint session of both houses of parliament.

"With a view to encouraging pilgrimage tourism, a national mission for beautifying and improving the amenities and infrastructure at pilgrimage centres of all faiths will be launched," he added.