JAMMU, Mar 4: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today announced that the Government will develop pilgrim tourism circuits in jammu to encourage yatris visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine to tour other tourist destinations in the region saying if the Government could divert 10 to 15 percent of these pilgrims to other places it will benefit the people.
Omar, who holds charge of the Tourism Department, was replying to a question in the Legislative Assembly today during the Question Hour.
“As far as the pilgrim tourism circuit in Jammu is concerned, we will create three, four and seven day packages. We will promote these destinations to ensure pilgrims visit all such places. Many pilgrims are unaware of the pilgrimage tourism destinations in the region,” the Chief Minister said.
Emphasizing the need to encourage pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi temple to also tour other places in the region, he said it is our challenge to divert pilgrims to various destinations in the Jammu region.
“We have not succeeded in diverting these pilgrims to other parts of the region,” he said.
Omar stressed that Jammu has distinct destinations that need publicity, adding that efforts will be made in this direction.
The Department of Tourism has been actively involved in developing tourism infrastructure in Jammu city to attract more tourists and has executed several projects under the State Capex Budget and Swadesh Darshan Scheme, he said.
Addressing concerns about the impact of direct train connectivity to Kashmir and the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway by passing Jammu, the Chief Minister acknowledged the apprehensions of the local tourism industry.
“There is concern that with the railway now extending not just to Katra but also to Srinagar and Baramulla and with the expressway allowing travelers to bypass Jammu City, tourism in Jammu may be affected. However, developing tourism destinations alone is not enough. Sites like Jammu’s heritage landmarks, the upcoming Jammu lake, and the Jambu zoo are significant attractions, but they need better branding and visibility,” he said in response to a written question as well as supplementaries raised by BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi.
Among the notable projects undertaken, the Government has focused on enhancing major tourist attractions, Omar said.
A musical water fountain with a sound and light show has been installed at Bagh-e-Bahu to enrich visitor experiences. Additionally, tourist facilities have been developed at Bhagwati Nagar and Sidhra Golf Course to accommodate and attract more travelers.
Further, an amusement park has been constructed near the Sidhra Golf Course in Jammu to provide more recreational options. To improve connectivity, the much-anticipated ropeway project from Mahamaya to Bagh-e-Bahu has been implemented, offering tourists a scenic and efficient travel option.
The Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) is also spearheading multiple initiatives to modernize Jammu’s infrastructure and enhance its appeal as a tourist destination.
As part of its heritage conservation and beautification efforts, JSCL has undertaken the restoration and beautification of iconic landmarks such as Bahu Fort, Mubarak Mandi, Raghunath Bazaar, and various temples and ghats under the Smart City initiative, the Chief Minister said.
He said to improve urban mobility and accessibility, major road upgrades are underway, along with the development of pedestrian-friendly pathways. In a bid to promote sustainable transportation, the city has introduced electric buses under the eBus project, making public transport more eco-friendly.
A key initiative under JSCL is the redevelopment of the Tawi Riverfront, transforming it into a vibrant recreational hub with promenades, cycling tracks, and leisure spaces for residents and tourists alike. Furthermore, heritage sites such as Bahu Fort, the Army Headquarters at Mubarak Mandi, Mahamaya Temple, and Tawi bridges have been enhanced with façade lighting, adding to their visual appeal, Omar said.
To make historical and cultural experiences more engaging, the Government has also introduced digital and immersive light and sound shows at Bahu Fort heritage sites.
The Chief Minister emphasized that JSCL’s vision aligns with making Jammu a modern, tourist-friendly, and sustainable city while preserving its rich cultural and historical essence.
Meanwhile, Omar said over 4.40 crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in the past two years.
He said Rs 35.08 crore has been allocated for the promotion, advertisement and related activities of the department over the past two financial years.
Rs 12.54 crore was spent in FY 2023-24 and Rs 22.54 crore in 2024-25, he said.
Responding to a question from National Conference member Mubarak Gul, the Chief Minister said 4.48 crore pilgrims, visited Jammu and Kashmir in the past two years.
He added that 2,11,24,674 tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in 2023 and 2,35,24,629 in 2024. Of these, 55,337 foreign tourists visited in 2023 and 65,452 in 2024.
Omar said the tourism sector holds extensive employment potential for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He acknowledged that while the sector employs a significant workforce in Jammu and Kashmir, no formal survey has been conducted to ascertain the exact number.
The Chief Minister also told the House that 59 assets of the Tourism Department have been outsourced in the past two years.
