80 Youth Hostels have so far been constructed across the country, out of which 68 are with this Department and 12 Youth Hostels have been transferred to NehruYuva Kendra Sangathan, Sports Authority of India and respective State Governments for their optimum uses for youth & sports development and four Youth Hostels are at various stages of construction. This was stated by Shri Ajay Maken, Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs & Sports, in the Lok Sabha today, in a written reply to a question by Shri Haribhau Jawale, Shri Ashok Tanwar & Smt. Kamla Devi Patle.
The Minister further stated that Youth Hostels were built to encourage youth travel and to inform them about the diversity of India’s cultural heritage. Besides promoting youth travel, Hostels have been developed as a major centre for youth and sports activities. Keeping in view, Youth Hostels were generally, established in locations of historical, cultural and tourist interest and significance. The Youth Hostel scheme is a joint venture between Central and State Governments. Under the scheme, Central Government bears the cost of construction while the State Government provides fully developed land free of cost with water, electricity & approach road.
The total budgetary allocation for construction of Youth Hostels during the last three years and the current year is as under:-
(Rs. in crore)
Year | Total Budget for construction of Youth Hostel |
2009-10 | 3.25 |
2010-11 | 4.00 |
2011-12 | 2.05 |
2012-13 | 1.30 |
The Minister further stated that Planning Commission has advised not to take up any new construction of Youth Hostel, but to complete the ongoing construction of the Youth Hostels, the Minister added.