SASCI Initiative for Promotion of Lesser-Known Destinations, Hirakund & Satkosia

New Delhi,21 AUG 2025: With the aim to develop iconic tourist centres in the country, the Ministry of Tourism issued operational guidelines along with detailed project report template under ‘Special Assistance to the States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ scheme. Accordingly, the State Governments submitted their project proposals on the online portal and 40 projects were sanctioned under the scheme for Rs.3295.76 Crore by Government of India with 100% central funding. Odisha’s Hirakund & Satkosia are will be developed under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI Scheme). This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
SASCI scheme aims to develop end to end tourist experience that creates intended value while adopting the responsible tourism practices. The projects under the scheme were selected on challenge method and the parameters for the same covered multiple areas such as connectivity to the site, existing tourism eco-system, carrying capacity, availability of utilities, project impact & value envisaged which included expected increase in footfall within the prescribed carrying capacity, attract high value domestic and foreign tourists, increase tourism spends, creation of new employment opportunities, enabling sustainability and responsible tourism, private investment etc. As per the operational guidelines for SASCI scheme, while funding for developing the projects is done by the Government of India, operation and maintenance of the project shall be the responsibility of the respective State Government. Implementation of projects under the scheme is expected to boost local economy and creating opportunities for local artisans and community.