The Union Ministry of Tourism has clarified that it has no proposal under consideration for the development of Shabarikolla, a holy village in Ramdurg taluka of Belagavi district, despite its mythological and religious significance.
The information was shared in the Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025, in response to a starred question raised by Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar. The question sought to know whether the Centre planned to develop Shabarikolla as a tourism destination.
Replying to the House, Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated that the development of tourist destinations is primarily the responsibility of State Governments. The Centre, he said, supports such efforts through various schemes in consultation with the states.
However, this Lok Sabha update must be seen alongside an earlier development in April 2025, when the Shabari Kolla pilgrimage site was approved for ₹100 crore in funding under Part-III of the “Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2024-25” — a scheme aimed at building iconic tourist centres on a global scale. At the time, MP Jagadish Shettar welcomed the approval, noting it followed his appeal to the Prime Minister earlier in 2025. The Prime Minister’s Office directed the Karnataka Tourism Department to start necessary development actions without delay.
While no proposal has been received or approved for Shabarikolla village, the Minister informed that two major tourism-related projects have been sanctioned in Belagavi district. Under the PRASHAD scheme, ₹18.37 crore has been sanctioned for the development of the Renuka Yallamma Devi Temple during 2024–25. Additionally, under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, a project worth ₹100 crore has been approved for the development of Savadatti Yallammagudda in the same financial year
While the Ministry says no new proposal for Shabarikolla is pending at the Centre, the earlier allocation reflects sustained interest and planning toward enhancing the site’s potential as a pilgrimage and tourist destination — a major aspiration for local devotees and residents alike.