Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASAD)

Why in news:

• Recently President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the ‘PRASAD’ project at the tourism facilitation centre in the pilgrim town of Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh.
• The hill town will get a pilgrim complex, amenities centres at

1. Hatakeswaram and Sikhareswaram,
2. a renovated Pushkarini,
3. aesthetic illumination at the temple,
4. laying of Krishnaveni Road from the bus station to Pathalaganga,
5. an amphitheatre, a soundand­light show,
6. digital intervention, parking areas, a toilet complex,
7. souvenir shops, food courts, ATM and
8. banking services with a total outlay of ₹48.03 crore under the project.

About PRASAD SCHEME:

• The Government of India launched the PRASAD scheme in the year 2014-2015.
• The PRASAD scheme falls under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tourism.
• This scheme focuses on developing and identifying pilgrimage sites across India for enriching the religious tourism experience.
• It aims to integrate pilgrimage destinations in a prioritised, planned and sustainable manner to provide a complete religious tourism experience.
• The growth of domestic tourism hugely depends on pilgrimage tourism.
• For tapping the potential of pilgrimage tourism, there is a need for holistic development of the selected pilgrimage destinations by the government along with the cooperation of other stakeholders.
• The PRASAD scheme aims at paving the way for the development and promotion of religious tourism in India.
• The corresponding State/Union Territory Government shall carry out the projects outlined under this scheme through the designated agencies.