SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 22: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today stated that the Government has adopted a comprehensive and multi-pronged strategy for the development, promotion and diversification of tourism in Jammu Division, with a focus on developing new and emerging destinations and positioning Jammu as a year-round tourist destination at the national and international levels.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Jammu East Yudhvir Sethi during the ongoing Autumn Session of the J&K Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, said the strategy combines developmental interventions with sustained promotional activities to diversify the tourism product of Jammu Division.
He said the Tourism Department is focusing on pilgrimage, heritage, adventure, eco, nature, rural, cultural, wellness and leisure tourism, besides strengthening infrastructure and improving tourist amenities at existing and emerging destinations.
Major destinations where developmental interventions have been taken up or initiated include Suchetgarh, Shiv Khori, Sudhmahadev, Patnitop, Basholi, Bhaderwah/Gatha, Mansar, Baradari, Kesari Hills and Behra/Qasab.
The interventions include creation and upgradation of tourism infrastructure and public amenities, destination facilities, beautification, connectivity-related works and development of tourism assets according to the requirements of individual destinations.
The Chief Minister said the Government is also laying emphasis on developing new and emerging destinations to decongest established tourist centres and ensure wider distribution of tourism-related economic activity across Jammu Division.
On promotion, he said the Department has undertaken sustained publicity, advertising and promotional campaigns at local, national and international levels. During April 2025 to March 2026, 110 events and festivals were facilitated or participated in, while 43 events and festivals were covered during April-August 2026.
District-wise and category-wise publicity literature has also been prepared and disseminated through Travel Marts, Expos, Festivals, Melas and Yatras. Digital platforms including Facebook, Instagram and X have been utilised for promotion, alongside campaigns undertaken in collaboration with tourism stakeholders.
At the national level, the Department participated in major tourism events including GITB Jaipur, TTF Ahmedabad, IATO Convention Puri, ITM Jaipur, IITE Madurai, SATTE-2026 New Delhi and ITM Dehradun. International participation included IFTM Top Resa, Paris; World Travel Market, London; and ITB Singapore, providing wider exposure to the tourism products of J&K.
The Chief Minister said the Government has also undertaken development of dedicated pilgrimage circuits in Jammu Division. Under the Capex Plan 2020-21, five pilgrimage circuits were sanctioned and are currently under progress.
These include the Mansar Circuit (Phase-I) with a project cost of ₹9.81 crore, Shiv Khori Circuit at ₹3.14 crore, Utterbehni Circuit at ₹8.50 crore, Purmandal Circuit at ₹9.82 crore and Sukrala Circuit at ₹3.92 crore.
At present, 29 works are actively ongoing under these circuits, with an approved cost of ₹5.14 crore.
The Chief Minister said completion of these circuits is expected to strengthen local economies and create employment opportunities for local youth. The Government is also encouraging local participation in tourism through opportunities in homestays, tourist guiding and other tourism-related services.
On the allocation of funds, the Chief Minister informed the House that the approved budget for tourism-related development activities in Jammu Division increased from ₹56.50 crore in 2023-24 to ₹61.15 crore in 2024-25 and further to ₹62.85 crore in 2025-26.
For Jammu East Constituency, the allocation stood at ₹2.12 crore in 2023-24, ₹2.28 crore in 2024-25 and ₹1.41 crore in 2025-26.
He said the Government’s approach is aimed at broadening Jammu’s tourism base, developing diverse tourism products and ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach newer destinations and local communities across the Division.
Can’t make every tourist destination Gulmarg & gondolas can’t be built everywhere: CM Omar Abdullah
Each destination has its own unique attraction; Doodhpathri Gondola proposal under consideration Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that the Government cannot replicate the Gulmarg model of tourism infrastructure at every destination in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising that development plans must take into account the unique character, attractions and visitor potential of individual destinations.
Replying to questions by MLA Saif-ud-Din Bhat during the ongoing Autumn Session of the J&K Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, said that the Government has to adopt a destination-specific approach rather than replicate the same infrastructure across all tourist destinations.
“We can’t make every tourist destination Gulmarg, and build gondolas at every destination. Every tourist destination has its unique and separate attraction,” Omar Abdullah said.
He noted that the Gondola at Gulmarg has a significantly higher ridership than the one at Patnitop, and said that such factors need to be considered before proposing similar infrastructure at other destinations.
“Every tourist destination can’t have a Gondola. Every destination cannot be Gulmarg. We have to see something unique, as these destinations are unique in their nature,” he said.
On the proposed Gondola/Cable Car project at Doodhpathri, the Chief Minister informed the House that the proposal is presently under consideration of the Government. The project will be taken up for execution subject to approval of the competent authority, completion of requisite formalities and availability of funds.
He said that winter adventure tourism at Doodhpathri has already received a boost, with snow skiing introduced by the Tourism Department in 2023 and conducted regularly during subsequent winter seasons.
A Drag Lift has also been constructed and made operational from 2026, providing additional facilities for skiers and enabling regular skiing training and other winter adventure activities.
The Chief Minister further informed the House that the Government is pursuing planned infrastructure development around Doodhpathri to improve visitor management and reduce pressure on the destination.
The Tourism Department has identified State land at five locations along the Arigam–Reyar Ich stretch for development of wayside facilities, including amenities for visitors and local vendors. Administrative approval for these facilities has been accorded at an estimated cost of ₹50 lakh, and the works are presently at the tendering stage.
He said that approximately 25 kanals of State land near the Sheep Farm at Kralpathri has also been identified for development of a Tourist Transit Hub along with a 400-car parking facility at Doodhpathri.
A Detailed Project Report for the proposed facility, estimated at ₹75 crore under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0, has been prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, for consideration and approval.
The proposed transit hub and parking facility is envisaged to regulate vehicular movement and improve visitor management at Doodhpathri, thereby helping reduce vehicular pressure at the destination.
On tourism development in Khansahib, the Chief Minister said that the Tourism Department has already initiated the process of identifying and assessing areas with tourism potential for future development.
He said that, in consultation with local stakeholders and officers of the Revenue and Forest Departments, the Department has conducted site visits to Pushker, Shoplian, Nowgam, Drung, Habber, Banglapathri and Palmasidan to assess their tourism potential and the feasibility of creating tourism-related infrastructure.
Suitable sites will be considered for inclusion in future tourism development plans, subject to their tourism potential and feasibility, availability of suitable land and fulfilment of requisite statutory and administrative requirements.
The process for identification, demarcation and transfer of State land at Banglapathri and along the stretch from Zoogu to Sitaharan has already been initiated with the Revenue authorities and is under process for further necessary action.
Govt examining extension of Power Amnesty Scheme; relief for poor consumers may be considered on merit: CM Omar Abdullah
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that the Jammu and Kashmir Government is examining on merits the matter of reintroducing or extending the Amnesty Scheme for power consumers, while stressing that repeated waivers of electricity dues would be unfair to consumers who pay their bills on time.
Replying to a question by MLA Vikram Randhawa during Question Hour of the ongoing Autumn Session of the J&K Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Power portfolio, said that the matter regarding reintroduction/extension of the Amnesty Scheme for power consumers is being examined by the department on merits.
The question sought details on the proposed extension of the scheme.
The Chief Minister said that while repeated amnesty schemes could have an adverse impact on the culture of timely bill payment, the Government could consider extending relief to people living below the poverty line and other underprivileged consumers on a case-to-case basis.
“Giving amnesty repeatedly is injustice with those who pay bills on time and it also encourages consumers not to pay bills on time and wait for amnesty,” Omar Abdullah said.
He, however, added that the Government can consider amnesty for poorer sections of society, with such cases being examined on merit.
