CHAPTER 6: INDIA’S INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT & CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

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Key Developments in Tourism and Space Infrastructure:

Tourism Infrastructure:
- Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD):
  - Objective: Focuses on developing tourism infrastructure at identified pilgrimage destinations and heritage cities.
  - Progress: Various projects sanctioned and completed to enhance religious and heritage tourism as of December 2024.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme:
- Objective: Integrated development of tourism destinations, including theme-based tourist circuits.
- Revamped: In 2022 to Swadesh Darshan 2.0, focusing on sustainable and responsible tourism.
- Approved Projects: 34 projects with a total funding of ₹793.2 crore.
Interest-Free Loans for Capital Investment:
- Approved: 40 projects across 23 states for interest-free loans (50 years) amounting to ₹3,295.8 crore.
- Aim: Create iconic tourist centres of global standards.

INDIA’S SPACE INFRASTRUCTURE

Current Space Assets:
- Total: 56 active space assets.
- Breakdown:
  - Communication Satellites: 19.
  - Navigation Satellites: 9.
  - Scientific Satellites: 4.
  - Earth Observation Satellites: 24.
Enhanced Capabilities: Addition of a small satellite launch vehicle to India’s fleet and successful launch contracts with OneWeb and SpaceX.
ISRO’s Infrastructure Monitoring Platforms:
- - Bhuvan Platform: Supports infrastructure monitoring for various development schemes such as MGNREGA and PMKSY.
  - Electrical Infrastructure: Manages electrical infrastructure in Maharashtra and Telangana.
  - Nyaya Vikas Portal: Monitors 2,840 judicial infrastructure projects using Web GIS and mobile geotagging.
  - Urban Geospatial Databases: Created for 238 AMRUT cities to assist in urban planning using GIS-based master plans.

INDIA’S SPACE VISION

Approved: Four key projects to advance India’s space exploration:
- Gaganyaan Follow-on Mission: India’s human spaceflight program.
- Chandrayaan-4 Lunar Sample Return Mission.
- Venus Orbiter Mission.
- Next Generation Launch Vehicle Development.

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