Jammu

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the time has come to reopen tourist destinations that remain shut following last year’s Pahalgam terror attack and that he will take up the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his upcoming visit to the Union Territory.

Replying to a supplementary question by Congress MLA Nizam Uddin Bhat in the Assembly, Abdullah said it was true that several tourist spots were still closed after the April 22 attack in which 26 tourists were killed at Baisaran in the Pahalgam area.

“I believe the time has now come to reopen them. From the government’s side, discussions with the Government of India are ongoing. The home minister is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days, and I assure the House, especially the MLA from Bandipora, that this issue will certainly be discussed with him,” said Abdullah, who also holds the tourism portfolio.

Nearly 50 tourist destinations were closed by the LG administration following the attack. While over a dozen locations were reopened in September, many continue to remain inaccessible to tourists.

Earlier, responding to a question by National Conference MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar, the chief minister said the tourism department is in the process of revising the Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Trade Rules, framed in 1978, to simplify and streamline registration and renewal procedures for tourism units.

“The proposed revisions aim to make the process more transparent, user-friendly and strictly time-bound, thereby reducing procedural delays and improving ease of doing business in the tourism sector across the Union Territory,” he said.

Abdullah said tourism remains a major source of direct and indirect employment for local youth, with the department promoting the sector through regular festivals and promotional events.

“These initiatives generate livelihoods for event managers, transport operators, hospitality workers, guides, artisans, digital content creators and other service providers, while also contributing to entrepreneurship and sustainable employment,” he said.

He added that the department outsources assets such as cafeterias, huts, parking areas and ticketing facilities, creating regular employment opportunities for youth.

The chief minister said simplified guidelines have been notified for the registration of homestays to encourage community participation and promote inclusive tourism, particularly in border and rural areas. Registration and renewal of hotels, guest houses, homestays and travel agencies are being carried out online under the Public Service Guarantee Act, with a stipulated 30-day timeline.

However, responding to repeated supplementaries, Abdullah acknowledged serious shortcomings in the system.

“We ourselves accept that the registration process is cumbersome and needs simplification. Frankly, I am ashamed to admit that since 1978, these rules were never reviewed. Our government was in power earlier too, yet we failed to address it. But better late than never—we are now working on it,” he said.

He also admitted that procedural delays often stem from corrupt practices.
“The reality is that in many cases, files are deliberately delayed to extract bribes. Once money is paid under the table, the process suddenly starts moving,” Abdullah said.

Responding to another question by MLA Sajad Shaheen, the chief minister said the government is examining a proposal to notify new tourist destinations, including several locations in Ramban district such as Godagali, Nathatop, Daggan Top, Neel Top, Mahoo, Sarvadhar (Pogal Paristan), Sargali Pogal, Chanderkote and Bhatni.

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For the financial year 2025–26, he said Rs 117.27 lakh has been allocated under the Capex Budget for the development of tourism infrastructure in the Banihal–Gool constituency.