Srinagar, May 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday that the administration will endeavor to revive tourism in J&K once the annual Amarnath Yatra concludes peacefully.
He said tour operators from other states of India are keen to resurrect tourism in J&K, and a few groups are scheduled to visit J&K shortly. The J&K chief minister also said that a call to revive the tourism industry will be made following threadbare discussions with stakeholders.
About the impact of the Pahalgam terror attack on tourism, Abdullah said, “Yes, business has been severely impacted following Pahalgam incident, but we aren’t doing anything in this direction at the moment because we want things to settle down first before we sit with the stakeholders and develop a plan to revive J&K tourism.”
However, he was quick to point out that the desire of tour operators from other states of mainland India to revive tourism in J&K is a positive development.
“Some groups are getting ready to travel to J&K shortly, as I said we could be able to revive tourism in J&K once Yatra concludes peacefully,” he told reporters after reviewing arrangements ahead of the annual Mela Kheer Bhawani festival at Tulmulla, Ganderbal in central Kashmir.
As for the administration’s preparations for the annual Amarnath Yatra, the chief minister said that adequate arrangements have been made for the convenience of Yatris and that impenetrable security measures have been taken to ensure the Yatra concludes peacefully.
“In terms of the civil administration’s end of things, we have begun making preparations, and in terms of the security-related arrangements, we have implemented infallible safeguards. After the successful conclusion of the Mela Kheer Bhawani festival at Tulmulla in Ganderbal on June 3, we will make sure that the Amarnath Yatra from Sonmarg Baltal and Pahalgam axes concludes smoothly. I hope both religious gatherings come to a peaceful end, and all the pilgrims return home safely,” he added.
