First project under Swadesh Darshan Scheme to be inaugurated tomorrow

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The first project under the central government's Swadesh Darshan Scheme, 'North East Circuit: Imphal and Khongjom', will be inaugurated by Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla tomorrow, according to a Tourism Ministry statement today.

'Swadesh Darshan' (tour of country) is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for the development of thematic circuits in the country in a planned and prioritised manner.

The scheme was launched in 2014-15 and the ministry has so far sanctioned 70 projects at a cost of Rs 5,708.88 crore.

The project under inauguration was sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism in September 2015 for Rs 72.30 crore.

The project covers two sites - Kangla Fort and Khongjom.

Kangla Fort is one of the most important historic and archaeological site of Manipur located in the heart of Imphal city.

It served as the seat of Manipur's power till 1891.

Under this project, the ministry has carried out works such as restoration and improvement of outer and inner moat of the old Govindajee Temple and rejuvenation of sacred ponds, reconstruction of old rampart, among others.

"Development of tourism in North Eastern Region is prime area of focus for the Ministry of Tourism. The ministry is carrying out an array of activities for development and promotion of tourism in the region. The ministry is developing the tourism infrastructure in the region under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive)," the statement said.

Under both the two schemes, the ministry has sanctioned 15 projects covering all North Eastern states for Rs 1,301.47 crore, it said.