Jammu, February 5, 2026 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that the time has come to reopen tourist destinations that were shut following last year’s terror attack in Pahalgam, and assured that the issue will be taken up with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his upcoming visit to the Union Territory.
Replying to a supplementary question raised by Congress MLA Nizam Uddin Bhat in the Legislative Assembly, the chief minister acknowledged that several tourist spots remain closed even months after the April 2025 attack.
“It is correct that some tourist destinations are still closed post the Pahalgam terror attack. I believe the time has now come to reopen them,” Abdullah said.
He informed the House that discussions between the J&K Government and the Government of India on the issue are already underway. “The Home Minister is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days, and I assure the House, particularly the MLA from Bandipora, that this issue will certainly be discussed with him,” said Abdullah, who also holds the Tourism portfolio.
Nearly 50 tourist destinations were shut down by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration after terrorists killed 26 tourists at Baisaran in the Pahalgam area on April 22 last year. While more than a dozen destinations were reopened in September, many continue to remain closed, impacting tourism-dependent livelihoods.
Earlier, responding to a question by National Conference MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar, the chief minister said that the government is in the process of revising the Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Trade Rules, which were framed in 1978. He said the objective is to simplify, rationalise and streamline the registration and renewal process for tourism-related units.
“The proposed revisions aim to make the process more transparent, user-friendly and strictly time-bound, reducing procedural delays and improving ease of doing business in the tourism sector across the Union Territory,” Abdullah said.
Highlighting the importance of tourism for employment, the chief minister said the sector remains a major source of direct and indirect jobs for local youth. He noted that the Tourism Department regularly organises promotional events and festivals, generating livelihood opportunities for event managers, transport operators, hospitality workers, guides, artisans, digital creators and other service providers.
He added that outsourcing of tourism assets such as cafeterias, huts, parking areas and entry ticket facilities also provides regular employment opportunities. Abdullah further said that simplified guidelines for the registration of homestays have been notified to encourage community participation, especially in rural and border areas.
The chief minister informed the House that the registration and renewal of hotels, guest houses, homestays, travel agencies and other tourism units is now being carried out online under the Public Services Guarantee Act.
“Upon completion of all formalities, applicants are assured registration or renewal within 30 days through the online system,” he said.
However, Abdullah candidly admitted that the process remains cumbersome. “I am personally ashamed to admit that since 1978, these rules were never reviewed. Even during our earlier six-year tenure, we failed to address this issue. But better late than never, we are now working seriously on it,” he said.
He also acknowledged corruption-related concerns, stating that delays in issuing NOCs are often deliberate. “The reality is that in many cases, delays are intended to extract bribes so that once money is paid under the table, the file starts moving,” he said.
Responding to another question from MLA Banihal Sajad Shaheen, Abdullah said the government is examining a proposal to notify new tourist destinations across J&K, including several locations in Ramban district such as Godagali, Nathatop, Daggan Top, Neel Top, Mahoo, Sarvadhar (Pogal Paristan), Sargali Pogal, Chanderkote and Bhatni.
For the financial year 2025–26, the chief minister said an allocation of ₹117.27 lakh has been made under the Capex Budget for the development of tourism infrastructure in the Banihal–Gool constituency.
