Pahalgam: Minister for Youth Services & Sports, Transport, Information Technology, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Science & Technology, ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma today visited Pahalgam and interacted with tourists, local stakeholders and transporters to assess the tourism and public service ecosystem in the area.
During the visit, the Minister reviewed facilities available for visitors and took stock of arrangements being made to cater to the growing influx of tourists. He inspected various public amenities and stressed the need to maintain high standards of cleanliness, safety, transportation and visitor services to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for tourists.
Interacting with tourists from different parts of the country, Satish Sharma extended a warm welcome and highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and renowned hospitality. He expressed satisfaction over the increasing tourist footfall in the Valley, saying the growing number of visitors reflects their confidence in Jammu and Kashmir as a safe and attractive destination.
The Minister said that the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is committed to strengthening tourism infrastructure and enhancing facilities at all major tourist destinations. He added that sustained efforts are being made to improve connectivity, public amenities and service delivery mechanisms so that visitors enjoy a comfortable and enriching stay in the Union Territory.
During his interaction with local tourism stakeholders, including hoteliers, service providers and traders, Sharma appreciated their contribution towards promoting Pahalgam as one of the country’s premier tourist destinations. He stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to further improve tourism services and maintain the destination’s appeal.
The Minister also met representatives of the transport sector and held discussions with local transporters regarding issues concerning transportation facilities, traffic management and passenger convenience. The transporters apprised him of various concerns and suggestions related to the sector.
Assuring them that their genuine issues would be examined sympathetically, the Minister said appropriate measures would be taken to further strengthen transport services in the region.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to sustainable tourism development, Sharma said tourism remains a key driver of economic growth and employment generation in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasised that the government is focused on creating new opportunities for local communities while ensuring that tourism development remains environmentally responsible and beneficial to all stakeholders.
