Srinagar, May 29: Calling for reopening the tourist destinations in Kashmir that were closed after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the three governments including the elected dispensation in the region, Raj Bhawan and the Centre need to put joint efforts to ensure the safety of tourists in the Valley.
Talking to the reporters, the Chief Minister, said that there is a need for rebuilding the confidence from within before the tourists from the other parts of the country.
He reiterated that while security concerns remain paramount, it is equally critical for the administration to take visible, confident steps toward reopening destinations and restoring public confidence. “We cannot wait for others. We must take the first step,” he said, adding that the state must take a lead in reviving tourism post the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
After chairing a high-level Cabinet meeting in Gulmarg, the Chief Minister stated that “It is obvious that after April 22, the whole process had come to a halt. That’s why we are taking the first step ourselves.” Omar was referring to the stepped-up presence of ministers and top bureaucrats in key tourist hubs.
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He announced that the Education Minister has been directed to encourage schools and colleges to organize excursions and picnics at major destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam — both to signal calm and to re-establish public trust.
Omar also said that all the three governments including Government of India, Raj Bhawan and an elected government need to put joint efforts to ensure the safety of the tourists here.
The Chief Minister also welcomed a voluntary visit by a delegation of members, saying their initiative reflected growing public support for peace and recovery. “We didn’t invite them. They contacted us themselves and expressed their desire to visit. I hope their visit proves beneficial for tourism here,” he stated.
On the issue of security restrictions still in place, Omar acknowledged that several destinations remain either fully or partially closed. “Yes, there are areas still closed — like Doodhpathri, Betab Valley, and parts of Gulmarg and Pahalgam. But if we are serious about restarting tourism, we must gradually reassess and reduce these restrictions,” he said.
Pertinently, the meeting at Gulmarg attended by all Ministers and Administrative Secretaries was aimed at alleviating public fear, reinforcing a sense of security and paving the way for the revival of Kashmir’s tourism economy.
A similar meeting held in Pahalgam on Tuesday sent out a strong message rejecting violence and reaffirming the government’s resolve to restore routine life in the Valley. (KNO)
