Gujarat budget 2026-27: Somnath to be developed as global destination

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat govt has declared 2026 the ‘Gujarat Tourism Year' and allocated Rs 3,090 crore for tourism, pilgrim centres, and civil aviation in the budget, with a focus on Somnath and Ambaji.The state proposed Rs 20 crore to develop Somnath as a global destination and to organize the Somnath Swabhiman Parva under the ‘One State: One Global Destination' vision. The Somnath-Dwarka Expressway forms part of an additional Rs 3,000 crore provision for the Namo Shakti and Somnath-Dwarka Expressway projects to strengthen connectivity between key destinations. Somnath and Shivrajpur beaches will be upgraded with amenities.
Under the Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board, Rs 550 crore was earmarked for pilgrimage site development, including Rs 300 crore for facilities at Ambaji Yatra Dham. A further Rs 20 crore was provided for amenities for devotees visiting Ambaji and other major shrines, as well as for the Mahashivratri fair at Girnar and the Maa Narmada Parikrama. An additional Rs 20 crore for eco-tourism, marine tourism and island development, and Rs 60 crore to promote local tourism at Visavadar-Porbandar was allocated. Besides destinations, the govt is also focused on improving connectivity, with a Rs 95 crore allocation for a greenfield airport at Dahod and the expansion of airports at Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Surat, Vadodara and Ankleshwar. The state recorded over 22 crore tourist visits in 2025-26, according to the budget. A viability gap of Rs 78 crore was proposed under a Viability Gap Funding scheme to improve regional air links, along with Rs 20 crore under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN).