New Delhi: To give fillip to tourism in the country, the Centre has sanctioned about Rs114 crore for integrated development of four mega tourist destinations.

Hampi world heritage site in Karnataka, heritage tourist circuit in Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh (AP), Ganga heritage river cruise circuit in West Bengal (WB) and Gangtok in Sikkim have got the nod of the Tourism Ministry to be developed as mega tourist destinations, a release said.

The ministry has sanctioned Rs3,283.58 lakhs to develop the surroundings of Hampi world heritage site, which has immense potential as a cultural destination, illumination of historical buildings, sound and light show, solid waste management and creation of public conveniences.

Kadapa, which has historical links with Hampi, also has several historical and cultural sites. The project sanctioned for development of heritage tourist circuit in Kadapa district at a cost of Rs3,962.89 lakhs includes creation of tourist facilities around important temples, dams, reservoirs and forts, the release added.

Realising that India has very good potential for development of river cruise tourism, the ministry has decided to develop the Ganga Heritage cruise circuit which will offer experience of river cruise and visits to historical settlements along the banks of Ganga in West Bengal.

This project, estimated to cost Rs2,042.35 lakhs includes creation of jetties, beautification of river fronts, illumination of monuments and construction of tourist reception centres at Belur, Barrackpore, Serampore, Chandannagar, Hooghly, Nabadwip, Mayapur, Plassey, Behrampur, Musrhidabad-Lalbagh and Ajimganj-Baranagar.