Chandigarh, Aug. 12 -- The Centre's Rs.25.91-crore plan to develop border tourism at Attari appears to be moving at a slow pace, with only Rs.2.59 crore-barely 10% of the sanctioned amount-authorised for utilisation nearly two years after the project was approved in August 2024, according to a Lok Sabha reply to a question by AAP MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer. The project is being developed by the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB). In a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Monday, Union tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat listed projects sanctioned under various central schemes. Though several new Punjab tourism projects have been listed, the only Amritsar-specific project identified in the reply under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme - development of Karuna Sagar Valmiki Sthal - was sanctioned in 2015-16, with Rs.6.40 crore sanctioned, released and utilised. The project has been marked as completed. The project, sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, is intended to leverage Attari's existing tourist footfall by upgrading visitor amenities and creating a more comprehensive border tourism experience. Attari already draws large numbers of visitors for the India-Pakistan border and the popular Beating Retreat ceremony, making the slow utilisation of funds particularly significant. Newer projects are being taken up at other heritage and religious destinations in Punjab, including a Rs.24.90-crore heritage street at Sri Anandpur Sahib, a Rs.25-crore cultural and heritage street at Hussainiwala, and a Rs.53.45-crore heritage street at Khatkar Kalan dedicated to Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh. All three are currently under implementation. The contrast is significant because Meet Hayer had specifically sought details of funds sanctioned, released and utilised for tourism infrastructure and promotion in Amritsar during the past five years. Instead, the Centre's response largely provides a list of projects sanctioned across Punjab, without giving a comprehensive five-year expenditure statement specifically for Amritsar. The tourism ministry has maintained that development and promotion of tourist destinations, including religious tourism, is primarily the responsibility of the respective state governments. The Centre supplements these efforts through schemes such as Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and PRASHAD, subject to scheme guidelines, availability of funds and submission of detailed project reports. In November 2025, the state assembly unanimously paved the way for according Holy City status to the walled city of Amritsar, Sri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo, with the government promising dedicated efforts for their development, cleanliness, security and promotion of religious tourism. The state formally notified the three places as Holy Cities in December 2025....