Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the government cannot replicate the Gulmarg model of tourism infrastructure at every destination in the Union Territory, asserting that each place has its own unique attraction.
Replying to a question by MLA Saif-ud-Din Bhat during the Question Hour of the ongoing Autumn Session of the Legislative Assembly, the chief minister, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, said the government has to adopt a destination-specific approach rather than replicate the same infrastructure across all tourist destinations.
He emphasised that development plans must take into account the unique character, attractions and visitor potential of individual destinations.
For instance, Gondola in Gulmarg has a significantly higher ridership than the one at Patnitop, he said, adding 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 project at Doodhpathri in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, the chief minister informed the House that the proposal is currently under the government’s consideration.
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.
Abdullah said winter adventure tourism at Doodhpathri has already received a boost, with skiing introduced by the Tourism department in 2023 and being conducted regularly in the 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 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 Rs 50 lakh, and the works are presently at the tendering stage, Abdullah said.
He said 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 Rs 75 crore under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0, has been prepared and submitted to the Union Ministry of Tourism for consideration, he said.
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 Tourism 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 fulfillment 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.
Meanwhile, the CM said his government is committed to developing tourism in the Jammu region, with a focus on new destinations, circuits and year-round promotion.
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, Abdullah said.
He was replying to a question raised by MLA Jammu East Yudhvir Sethi during the ongoing Autumn Session of the 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, he added.
Abdullah said 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.
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, he said.
District-wise and category-wise publicity literature has also been prepared and disseminated through travel marts, expos, festivals, melas and yatras, the chief minister said.
Digital platforms including Facebook, Instagram and X have been utilised for promotion, alongside campaigns undertaken in collaboration with tourism stakeholders, he said.
Abdullah 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, he said.
These include the Mansar Circuit (Phase-I) with a project cost of Rs 9.81 crore, Shiv Khori Circuit at Rs 3.14 crore, Utterbehni Circuit at Rs 8.50 crore, Purmandal Circuit at Rs 9.82 crore and Sukrala Circuit at Rs 3.92 crore.
At present, 29 works are actively ongoing under these circuits, with an approved cost of Rs 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, he added.
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 Rs 56.50 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 61.15 crore in 2024-25 and further to Rs 62.85 crore in 2025-26.
For Jammu East Constituency, the allocation stood at Rs 2.12 crore in 2023-24, Rs 2.28 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 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.
Govt examining extension of power amnesty scheme: CM
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.
