“India has the potential and opportunity to offer world class trekking and hiking experience,” FM Sitharaman said while presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament.
“We will develop ecologically sustainable mountain trails in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir,” Sitharaman added.
The Finance Minister further stated that the government will also build such trails in the Eastern and Western Ghats of India as well.
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FM Sitharaman further announced that the government aims to boost the tourism sector through promoting medical, heritage and cultural tourism.
The FM said that the government is going to launch a scheme to support states in establishing five Regional Medical Hubs, in partnership with the private sector.
Sitharaman also proposed development of an integrated East Coast Industrial Corridor with a well-connected node at Durgapur, creation of five tourism destinations in the five Purvodaya States, and the provision of 4,000 e-buses.
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To further enhance the cultural tourism, the FM announced the development of 15 archeological sites including Lothal, Dholavia, Rakhigarhi, Adichanallur, Sarnath, Hastinapur, and Leh Palace into vibrant, experiential cultural destinations.
Further, a scheme for development of Buddhist Circuits in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura would also be launched, she added.
