MOT budget gets 61% hike

The annual budget allocation for FY 2021-22 is 61 per cent higher than the revised annual estimates of FY 2020-21, says Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism (MOT). He says that the budget will be used for various infrastructure projects and promotional activities for the tourism sector.

Nisha Verma

Arvind Singh has said that the annual budget outlay for 2021-22 for MOT is `2026.77 crore as against the outlay of `1,260 crore that was approved for the revised Budget Plan 2020-21. “The annual outlay in FY 2021-22 is 61 per cent higher than the revised annual outlay in FY 2020-21. Out of the proposed budget allocation of `2026.77 crore, about `950 crore will be used for creation of tourism infrastructure at different destinations and about `670 crore would be spent on tourism promotional activities,” said Singh while briefing on various budgetary provisions benefitting the tourism sector. He revealed that the remaining would be allocated towards funding other schemes, including capacity building for service providers and the Champion Services Sector scheme.

The Secretary also said that India’s performance in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic will inspire a sense of confidence and help MOT project India as a safe destination to travel to, and that the opening of wellness centres in urban and rural areas will also give fillip to wellness tourism in the country while propagating the theme of an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. He added, “The change in MSME definition during the pandemic has also brought relief to the travel and hospitality sectors.”

Talking of ensuring last-mile connectivity to tourist sites via helicopters, he ensured that since he previously held the position of Chairman AAI, he knows that this is happening. “Under RCS, helicopters are starting in certain parts of the country, especially in the Northeast, Himachal and Uttarakhand. Under UDAN, there will be more heliports in the future,” he said.

Other highlights of Budget as per Singh

Development of expressways to offer better connectivity to tourist sites

Construction of 3,500 km highway in Tamil Nadu in 2022; to include Madurai-Kollam corridor and Chittoor-Thatchur corridor

AAI airports in tier-II and III cities, NHAI toll roads and railway infrastructure to strengthen tourism might of India

New, aesthetically designed Vista Dome LHB coach on tourist routes to offer better travel experience to passengers

More from MOT

Meenakshi Sharma, Director General, MOT

The National Tourism Policy was revised owing to the COVID-19 situation and describes how we would recover from the pandemic. Now, it has a different foundation of responsible and sustainable tourism. It has already gone for state consultation, and industry consultation is happening with associations. We have got very good suggestions from the industry.

Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, MOT

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