How is Congress MP Supporting J&K CM's Efforts to Revitalize Tourism in Kashmir?

Srinagar, June 23 (NationPress) Congress leader and Member of Parliament, Renuka Chowdhury, stated on Monday that to convey a supportive message to the residents of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, whose jobs were impacted by the terror attack on April 22, the next meetings of the Parliamentary Standing Committee should take place in Pahalgam.

This statement came in response to a remark made by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who had visited Pahalgam on Sunday.

The Chief Minister expressed his satisfaction that the initiatives to revive tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Pahalgam, had begun to yield positive outcomes.

On his visit, he remarked on X, "When I last visited Pahalgam, the market was nearly empty. Today, I returned to find a Pahalgam that was alive with activity."

"Tourists from across the nation were mingling with local picnickers enjoying the pleasant climate and rainy weather. It’s gratifying to witness the impact of the efforts my colleagues and I have put in," he added.

In response, Renuka Chowdhury emphasized on Monday, "It should be our shared mission, as parliamentarians, to ensure that the next set of standing committee meetings happen in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Let the inhabitants of this stunning region feel our unity in this endeavor."

"We owe it to them to restore their livelihoods," she continued.

The aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local pony owner, caused a significant downturn in the thriving tourist season.

All hotels in Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Srinagar city were left empty as houseboat proprietors, shikarawallahs, taxi drivers, and tour operators suddenly lost their sources of income.

The government of Jammu and Kashmir, under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, proactively invited leaders from the tour and travel sector, personally visited various tourist locations to send a strong message about safety and security, and utilized all governmental resources to rejuvenate tourism.

These efforts seem to be yielding results as the stalemate has been broken, and a small number of tourists are beginning to return to Kashmir.

The local police and security forces have heightened their preparedness, and Kashmir is once again becoming a sought-after destination for domestic tourists.

While foreign visitors remain cautious, it is anticipated that they will soon recognize that this destination is as secure as any other on the global tourism map.