CM Omar chairs high-level review meeting in Gulmarg

Srinagar, May 28: In a determined move to revive tourism and restore public confidence in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday chaired a high-level administrative meeting in the popular tourist destination of Gulmarg, a day after a similar meeting was held in Pahalgam.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakeena Itoo, Javed Ahmad Rana, Javed Ahmed Dar, Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, all administrative secretaries, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, senior police officials, and heads of various departments including the CEO of the Gulmarg Tourism Development Authority.
Discussions focused on enhancing security measures, fast-tracking tourism infrastructure projects, and ensuring smooth arrangements for upcoming religious events such as Eid-ul-Azha, Mela Kheer Bhawani, Muharram, and the Amarnath Yatra.
The Chief Minister also directly engaged with tourists in Gulmarg, offering reassurances about safety following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran valley, which claimed the lives of 26 people—mostly tourists. The incident led to a significant decline in tourist footfall across Kashmir.
In response, the government has implemented several initiatives aimed at restoring public trust in security and revitalizing tourism in major hotspots. Among these is the decision to hold review meetings at ground level in key locations such as Pahalgam and Gulmarg.
“Back-to-back meetings in Gulmarg and Pahalgam are part of a broader initiative to restore trust, normalize the atmosphere, and send a strong message that Kashmir is safe and ready to welcome tourists again,” Omar said.
Highlighting the Centre’s active interest in tourism in J&K, he noted, “If the Prime Minister can review tourism and tour operators from Maharashtra and Gujarat can visit without being invited, then it’s incumbent upon the state government to match that commitment with action.”
He added, “These meetings are not symbolic. They are deliberate steps toward rebuilding confidence and should be conducted with sensitivity, not pressure.”
The Chief Minister also quoted a poignant Urdu couplet—“Dil na-umeed to nahi, nakaam hi to hai; Lambi hai gham ki shaam, magar shaam hi to hai”—emphasizing the importance of optimism in difficult times. “What happened in April was tragic, but we’ve faced worse over the last four decades and always bounced back.”
He revealed that this was the first time such a senior-level departmental review was held outside the Civil Secretariats in Srinagar and Jammu. “In my previous tenure, we took Cabinet meetings to remote areas, but this marks a shift in administrative outreach.”
Reviewing CAPEX works, tourism safety, emergency preparedness, adventure tourism, mobile connectivity, and healthcare, the Chief Minister directed departments to stay mission-focused, particularly in preparation for the Amarnath Yatra, which draws lakhs of pilgrims each year.
The Chief Minister directed the officials to coordinate closely with all departments and security agencies to avoid any gaps, especially in view of the recent attack in Pahalgam.
The official added that the administration is also working on increasing visible security at key locations and improving infrastructure for tourists. “We are putting special focus on safety and services so that people feel encouraged to visit Kashmir again,” the official added.
He further said that the Chief Minister also underlined the need for effective coordination between various power centres in Jammu and Kashmir.