Omar Abdullah says focus on new destinations, tourism circuits and year-round promotion; Doodhpathri gondola proposal under consideration
Srinagar, September 22: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has outlined a comprehensive plan to expand tourism in Jammu Division, with a focus on developing new destinations, strengthening pilgrimage circuits and promoting the region as a year-round tourist destination.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, informed the J&K Legislative Assembly on Tuesday that the tourism development allocation for Jammu Division had increased from ₹56.50 crore in 2023-24 to ₹62.85 crore in 2025-26.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Jammu East Yudhvir Sethi during Question Hour of the ongoing Autumn Session, the Chief Minister said the Government was adopting a multi-pronged strategy covering pilgrimage, heritage, adventure, eco, nature, rural, cultural, wellness and leisure tourism.
He said the approach included infrastructure development, improved tourist amenities, promotional campaigns and the development of new and emerging destinations to diversify tourism-related economic activity across Jammu Division.
Tourism development across Jammu Division
According to the Chief Minister, developmental interventions have been taken up or initiated at destinations including Suchetgarh, Shiv Khori, Sudhmahadev, Patnitop, Basholi, Bhaderwah/Gatha, Mansar, Baradari, Kesari Hills and Behra/Qasab.
The works include the creation and upgradation of tourism infrastructure, public amenities, destination facilities, beautification, connectivity-related interventions and tourism assets based on the requirements of individual destinations.
The Government is also focusing on developing emerging destinations to reduce pressure on established tourist centres and distribute tourism-related economic opportunities across the region.
29 works underway across five pilgrimage circuits
The Chief Minister said five dedicated pilgrimage circuits had been sanctioned under the Capex Plan 2020-21 and were currently under progress.
The circuits include:
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Mansar Circuit (Phase-I): ₹9.81 crore
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Shiv Khori Circuit: ₹3.14 crore
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Utterbehni Circuit: ₹8.50 crore
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Purmandal Circuit: ₹9.82 crore
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Sukrala Circuit: ₹3.92 crore
He said 29 works were currently ongoing under these circuits, with an approved cost of ₹5.14 crore.
According to Omar Abdullah, the completion of the circuits is expected to strengthen local economies and create employment opportunities for local youth. The Government is also encouraging local participation through homestays, tourist guiding and other tourism-related services.
Tourism promotion at national and international levels
The Chief Minister said the Tourism Department had undertaken sustained publicity and promotional campaigns at local, national and international levels.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, the department facilitated or participated in 110 events and festivals, while 43 events and festivals were covered between April and August 2026.
The department has also prepared and disseminated district-wise and category-wise publicity literature through Travel Marts, Expos, Festivals, Melas and Yatras. Digital platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and X, have been used alongside promotional campaigns conducted in collaboration with tourism stakeholders.
At the national level, the department participated in 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 in Paris, World Travel Market in London and ITB Singapore.
Jammu Division tourism allocation rises
The Chief Minister provided the following figures for tourism-related development activities in Jammu Division:
Financial year
|
Approved allocation
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2023-24
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₹56.50 crore
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2024-25
|
₹61.15 crore
|
2025-26
|
₹62.85 crore
|
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.
Every destination cannot be developed like Gulmarg, says Omar Abdullah
Doodhpathri gondola proposal under consideration; ₹75 crore tourist transit hub and parking facility proposed
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the Government could not replicate the Gulmarg model of tourism infrastructure at every destination in Jammu and Kashmir, stressing that development plans must take into account the unique characteristics, attractions and visitor potential of individual locations.
Replying to questions raised by MLA Saif-ud-Din Bhat during Question Hour, Omar Abdullah said the Government needed to adopt a destination-specific approach rather than establish identical infrastructure across 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,” the Chief Minister said.
He noted that the Gulmarg Gondola had significantly higher ridership than the one at Patnitop, adding that such factors needed to be considered before proposing similar infrastructure elsewhere.
Doodhpathri gondola proposal under consideration
On the proposed gondola or cable car project at Doodhpathri, the Chief Minister informed the House that the proposal was currently under consideration.
He said the project would be taken up subject to approval from the competent authority, completion of requisite formalities and availability of funds.
The Chief Minister also outlined measures taken to promote winter adventure tourism at Doodhpathri. Snow skiing was introduced by the Tourism Department in 2023 and has been conducted regularly during subsequent winter seasons.
A drag lift constructed at the destination became operational in 2026, providing additional facilities for skiers and supporting regular skiing training and other winter adventure activities.
₹75 crore transit hub and parking facility proposed
The Government is pursuing planned infrastructure development around Doodhpathri to improve visitor management and reduce pressure on the destination, the Chief Minister said.
The Tourism Department has identified State land at five locations along the Arigam–Reyar Ich stretch for developing wayside facilities, including amenities for visitors and local vendors. Administrative approval has been accorded for the facilities at an estimated cost of ₹50 lakh, with the works currently at the tendering stage.
Approximately 25 kanals of State land near the Sheep Farm at Kralpathri have also been identified for a proposed Tourist Transit Hub and a 400-car parking facility at Doodhpathri.
A Detailed Project Report for the 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 facility is intended to regulate vehicular movement, improve visitor management and reduce pressure on Doodhpathri.
Tourism potential of Khansahib areas assessed
Responding to questions on tourism development in Khansahib, Omar Abdullah said the Tourism Department had initiated the process of identifying and assessing areas with tourism potential for future development.
Site visits were conducted in consultation with local stakeholders and officers of the Revenue and Forest Departments at Pushker, Shoplian, Nowgam, Drung, Habber, Banglapathri and Palmasidan.
The sites are being assessed for their tourism potential and the feasibility of creating tourism-related infrastructure.
The Chief Minister said suitable sites would be considered for inclusion in future tourism development plans, subject to their tourism potential, availability of suitable land and fulfilment of statutory and administrative requirements.
The process of identifying, demarcating and transferring State land at Banglapathri and along the Zoogu–Sitaharan stretch has already been initiated with the Revenue authorities.
Govt examining extension of Power Amnesty Scheme, says Omar Abdullah
Relief for poor and underprivileged consumers may be considered on a case-to-case basis
The Jammu and Kashmir Government is examining the possibility of reintroducing or extending the Power Amnesty Scheme for electricity consumers, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Vikram Randhawa during Question Hour of the ongoing Autumn Session, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Power portfolio, said the matter was being examined by the department on its merits.
Omar Abdullah cautioned that repeated amnesty schemes could discourage timely payment of electricity bills and create an unfair situation for consumers who pay their dues regularly.
“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,” he said.
However, the Chief Minister said the Government could consider extending relief to people living below the poverty line and other underprivileged consumers on a case-to-case basis.
He added that such cases could be examined on merit.
