Govt mulls building Yatri Niwas at Sharda Temple in Teetwal: CM

Srinagar, Mar 08: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday stated that the government is considering the establishment of a Yatri Niwas and cafeteria at the Sharda Devi Temple in Teetwal, near the Line of Control (LoC), as part of efforts to promote tourism in the region.
The temple, reopened in 2023, is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of learning and wisdom, is a revered Shakti Peeth for the Kashmiri Pandit community.
In response to a starred question raised by National Conference legislator Javid Ahmad Mirchal in the Legislative Assembly, Abdullah, who also oversees the tourism portfolio, said the government is preparing a detailed project report for the Yatri Niwas at Teetwal, with an estimated cost of ₹1.5 crore.
Abdullah sought the cooperation of legislators to help identify households willing to convert their homes into homestays or pay guest accommodations, addressing the lack of infrastructure to support the growing tourism potential. He said that six homestays had already been registered in Karnah and five in Teetwal as part of this initiative.
“Homestays are a more sustainable model for tourism development,” he said, urging local MLAs to assist in the registration of more homestays and expanding the initiative.
“We need to involve the local population to boost tourism and create income-generating opportunities,” the CM remarked. “This is crucial for ensuring that tourism benefits the locals directly.”
Abdullah also acknowledged the immense tourism potential of the Karnah constituency in Kupwara district, calling the region “a treasure trove of breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and strategic significance.” He emphasised that areas such as Teetwal, Karanoo in Nawagabra, and Budnambal offer immense possibilities for nature-based, adventure, and cross-border heritage tourism.
“We have already seen increased tourist footfall in Gurez, Karnah, Keran, and other border areas,” he added. “Our government has allocated funds in the budget to provide skill training for local youth to enhance their employability, especially in the tourism sector.”
Abdullah revealed that the tourism department has already organized several festivals in the border areas to promote tourism, including cultural and musical events. Last year, a mega yoga festival was held in collaboration with other departments in Karnah to further attract tourists to the area.
In his address, the Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to empowering the youth of border areas such as Karnah, Keran, Machhil, and Gurez. He stressed that the youth would be trained in skills relevant to the tourism sector, which could open up economic opportunities for them.
Further elaborating on the youth empowerment scheme, the Chief Minister stated that unskilled youth would be trained at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and the Institute of Hotel Management in Srinagar, enabling them to take up work in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
In response to a suggestion by MLA Saifullah Mir, Abdullah also expressed support for the creation of a Tourism Development Authority to better manage and promote tourism in the region.
“We are committed to making these border areas not just secure but also prosperous through the promotion of sustainable, community-driven tourism,” the Chief Minister concluded.