India's Ranking in Tourism and Travel Competitiveness As per the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) 2015, of the World Economic Forum, India ranks 35th in Air Transport Infrastructure and 50th in Ground & Port Infrastructure from 141 countries of the world. India ranks 136th in terms of airport density and 76th in terms of quality of roads according to TTCI Report 2015, while according to the 2013 Report, India ranked 136th in terms of airport density and 85th in terms of quality of roads. The overall TTCI ranking of India has improved to 52nd in 2015 as compared to 65th in 2013. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has formulated Bharatmala" Pariyojana with a view to improve the road connectivity to coastal/border areas, backward areas, religious places, tourist places, construction/rehabilitation/widening of about 1,500 major bridges and 208 Railway Over Bridges (ROBs)/Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) on National Highways (NHs) and improvement of newly declared NHs providing connectivity to District Head Quarters. Development of road infrastructure enhances the overall development of the area besides giving boost to tourism in the country. Domestic air transport services have been decontrolled & deregulated. Government has laid down route dispersal guidelines with a view to achieve better connectivity to remote areas and different regions of the country. It is, however, up to the airlines to provide air services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability. As such the airlines are free to operate anywhere in the country subject to compliance of route dispersal guidelines issued by the Government. For improvement of connectivity, CFA is provided by Ministry of Tourism under the Schemes Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD for the components like last mile connectivity, heliports, helipads, airstrips, ropeways, procurement of equipment for eco-friendly modes of tourist transport, etc. Product/Infrastructure Development for Destinations and Circuits (PIDDC) Scheme for States was delinked from Union Support -2015-16, pursuant to acceptance of the 14th Finance Commissions recommendation for higher devolution of 42% to States from Union taxes and duties. Consequently, MoT has launched two Schemes namely- Swadesh Darshan Scheme for Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits around Specific Themes and National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) to beautify and improve amenities and infrastructure at major pilgrimage sites in the country. This information was given by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C) for Culture and Tourism in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
