JAMMU, MAR 04: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to boosting Jammu’s economy through a comprehensive promotion of tourism and pilgrimage. The Chief Minister, who also oversees the tourism department, outlined plans to enhance Jammu’s tourism infrastructure, focusing on structured itineraries, improved branding, and major upgrades to the region’s facilities.
In response to a supplementary query by BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi during a session of the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister acknowledged the potential of the region’s pilgrimage sector and detailed the steps being taken to publicise Jammu’s tourism assets. “The department is actively working on developing the Jammu pilgrimage circuit,” Abdullah said. “We have over one crore Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims visiting the region annually. If even 10-15% of them are encouraged to explore other tourist destinations in Jammu, it will have a substantial positive impact on the local economy.”
However, Abdullah pointed out that a key challenge remains the lack of comprehensive information about the full spectrum of Jammu’s pilgrimage and tourist offerings. He added, “We are working on structured itineraries, offering three-day, four-day, and seven-day pilgrimage tours, and will promote these packages through various tourism fairs and trade events.”
Addressing concerns raised by the local tourism industry regarding the potential negative impact of new transport links, including the direct train connectivity to Kashmir and the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway bypassing Jammu, Abdullah acknowledged the worries but emphasised that developing tourism destinations alone would not suffice.
“There is concern that with the railway extension to Katra, Srinagar, and Baramulla, as well as the expressway bypassing Jammu, tourism in the city may suffer,” he said. “However, it’s essential to note that while infrastructure development is crucial, tourism destinations like Jammu’s heritage landmarks, the upcoming Jammu lake, and the Jammu zoo require better branding and visibility.”
The Chief Minister asserted that effective branding and visibility would give these sites a unique identity, making them more appealing to tourists. “While there hasn’t been enough publicity in the past, we are now committed to ensuring these destinations are promoted in the right way,” he stressed.
Earlier, while responding to a starred question in the House, Abdullah elaborated on the tourism department’s ongoing efforts to enhance Jammu’s infrastructure. Several key projects, funded through the State Capex Budget and the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, are already underway to bolster the city’s tourism offerings.
Among the major initiatives, the Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) is leading efforts to modernise the city’s infrastructure. The Smart City project focuses on both heritage conservation and urban beautification, with the restoration of iconic landmarks such as Bahu Fort, Mubarak Mandi Palace, Raghunath Bazaar, and various temples and ghats.
One of the most significant undertakings is the redevelopment of the Tawi Riverfront, which is being transformed into a vibrant recreational hub. The riverfront will feature promenades, cycling tracks, and leisure spaces designed to attract both tourists and local residents.
Abdullah emphasised that the vision behind these projects is not just to modernise Jammu, but to make the city more tourist-friendly, sustainable, and attuned to preserving its rich cultural heritage. “Our goal is to strike a balance between development and preservation, ensuring that Jammu remains a prime tourist destination while maintaining its historical essence,” he concluded.
