Ganga-Narmada Tourism Corridor to Enhance Tourism in Madhya Pradesh
On March 31, the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is working on an initiative to connect the state's natural, spiritual, and cultural heritage with major religious sites of Uttar Pradesh such as Prayagraj, Ayodhya, and Varanasi. The main objective is to develop the Ganga-Narmada tourism corridor, which aims to increase tourism collaboration between the two states and provide visitors with a rich and diverse experience.
Principal Secretary, Tourism, Shiv Shekhar Shukla highlighted the state's strategic approach to tourism development and its economic impact at the Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025 in New Delhi. He emphasized that the Madhya Pradesh government is actively encouraging investment in tourism infrastructure. Efforts are underway to strengthen relations with travel agents, tour operators, and hospitality stakeholders in Uttar Pradesh through industry workshops and collaborative marketing campaigns. As part of this initiative, Familiarization (FAM) tourism events are being held in cities like Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Kanpur, and Agra, with targeted promotional campaigns.
Tourists traveling to Uttar Pradesh will now have easy access to Madhya Pradesh's key attractions. For example, tourists visiting Prayagraj can continue their journey via Rewa to enjoy its scenic landscapes, visit the Maihar Mata Temple, and explore the stunning Dhuandhar Waterfalls and Bhedaghat in Jabalpur. Similarly, those coming to Varanasi for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple can also experience the spiritual grandeur of Omkareshwar and Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, the Ram Path Gaman Corridor is being developed to seamlessly connect Ayodhya with Chitrakoot.
Currently, tourism contributes around 3-3.5% to Madhya Pradesh's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The state aims to increase this contribution to 4-5% by 2028 and 8-10% by 2047. He added, "Tourism is a significant driver of economic growth and employment. An investment of ₹10 lakh in tourism creates about 90 direct and indirect job opportunities, which is much higher than in other sectors. Our goal is to leverage tourism to generate sustainable livelihoods and economic benefits for the people of Madhya Pradesh."