Srinagar, July 17:The Jammu and Kashmir government is preparing to reopen all touristdestinations that were shut down in the wake of the terror attackin Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead and significantly disrupted the region’s tourism economy.
Ahigh-level security review meeting, to be chaired byLieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, is expected soon to finalize the phased reopening plan. According to officials, the process will be gradual and closely coordinated with security agencies to ensure the safety of visitors and restore confidence in the Valley as a secure tourist destination.
“In the first phase, we are reopening destinations with cleared security protocols. Others will follow once proper arrangements are in place,” a senior official said. “The idea is to provide tourists with a safe and comfortable experience so they continue to visit the Valley without fear.”
Following the April attack, authorities had temporarily shut down several tourist locations in South, Central, and North Kashmir as a precaution. While some have quietly reopened in recent weeks, many key sites remain closed pending final clearance from security officials.
The LG administration has recently opened while many remain shut and are waiting for clearance from security agencies. Officials said all such spots will be reopened gradually once proper arrangements are made.
“The destinations will be reopened in phases. This will help us ensure that each location has the security support it needs,” a senior official said. “We want to give tourists a safe and comfortable experience so that they continue to visit the Valley.”
To rebuild confidence, the Union Government has also stepped in. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat visited Kashmir twice in recent weeks. A group of Parliamentary Standing Committees also visited the valley to assess the situation and encourage tourism.
A meeting of Tourism Secretaries from various Union Territories was held in Pahalgam, where both Shekhawat and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed the participants.
The ongoingShriAmarnathJiYatra has also helped improve the mood. After the April attack, the number of registrations dropped. But the ShriAmarnath Shrine Board reached out to registered pilgrims via SMS to assure them of strong security arrangements.
The outreach worked, and over 85,000 pilgrims who had registered earlier turned up. Within ten days, the number of visitors to the holy cave crossed two lakh.
This year, the Yatra began on July 3 and will end on August 9. Pilgrims are being given a three-layer security cover and other necessary services such as food, shelter, and medical care.
Tourism is one of the main sources of income for people in Kashmir. The attack in April hit the livelihoods of thousands. Now, with tourist movement increasing again, locals are hopeful. Guesthouse owners, shikara operators, and taxi drivers are slowly seeing bookings and inquiries rise.
The Government also plans Security upgrades like CCTV cameras, drone monitoring, and more police presence are being introduced.
