Prolonged closure of key tourist spots impacts livelihoods; CM to take up reopening issue with Home Minister

JAMMU : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that the prolonged closure of several tourist destinations has caused distress among local youth, and the government is considering a relief package to support those affected.
The Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by MLA Khansahib Saif ud Din Bhat regarding the closure of tourist spots in his constituency.
He informed the House that internationally known tourist destinations such as Doodpathri, Tosamaidan and Yousmarg have remained closed for tourist activities for the last about nine months owing to security-related considerations.
The Chief Minister said that he would take up the issue of reopening these tourist destinations with the Union Home Minister, who is currently visiting Jammu and Kashmir.
Holding the Tourism portfolio, the Chief Minister stated that the prolonged closure has adversely affected the local economy and severely impacted the livelihood of ATV operators, vehicle owners, ponywalas, stall owners, guides and other stakeholders dependent on tourism activities in these areas.
He added that the continued closure has caused distress among local youth, including those who had availed loans from various financial institutions for running tourism-related businesses at these destinations.
The Chief Minister said that the matter of reopening Doodpathri, Tosamaidan and Yousmarg involves security considerations, which are beyond the mandate of the Tourism Department at present.
He further informed that a DO letter from the Hon’ble MLA Khansahib in this regard has been forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner Budgam vide letter No. TSM-TDA/51/2021 dated 29.10.2025, for appropriate action.
Due to an unfortunate incident at Pahalgam and the consequent restrictions imposed by the District Administration, the Snow Skating Games at Doodpathri could not be organized, the Chief Minister said.
Regarding the ropeway project at Tosamaidan, the Chief Minister informed that the Gondola/Ropeway Project has been proposed by the PWD (R&B) Department through National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) under the Parvatmala Scheme, as conveyed vide Government Order No. 373-PW(R&B) of 2023 dated 06.09.2023.