Srinagar, Dec 18: The Government of India is actively promoting tourism in Jammu and Kashmir through a range of ongoing schemes and initiatives aimed at holistic destination development and improved tourism infrastructure, Union Minister of Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (Rajya Sabha) said on Thursday.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the Centre supports Jammu and Kashmir through schemes that fund destination development and core infrastructure. These include Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development. The ministry said these schemes add to the work done by the Union Territory administration.
According to data placed before the House, projects worth more than Rs 564 crore have been sanctioned for Kashmir under these schemes. Of this, over Rs 494 crore has already been released. The funding covers road-linked circuits, tourism facilities, heritage sites and recovery of assets damaged during the 2014 floods, spread across several districts of the region.
Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, six major projects were approved in 2016 and 2017 under the Himalayan Circuit. These include routes linking Jammu, Srinagar, Pahalgam, Anantnag, Uri, Kargil and Leh, along with projects covering Rajouri, Shopian and Pulwama. Other works span Gulmarg, Baramulla, Kupwara and Zanskar, focusing on access, amenities and visitor services.
The Centre also sanctioned funds for rebuilding tourism assets damaged in the floods under the Prime Minister Development Package. Sites such as Mantalai, Sudhmahadev, Daksum and the Ranjit Sagar Dam area were covered. Under PRASHAD, the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar received support, while a sound and light show was approved for Nigeen Lake.
The government said these investments aim to strengthen tourism infrastructure and improve visitor experience in Jammu and Kashmir. However, it acknowledged that the Ministry of Tourism has not conducted any recent study to assess how many jobs these projects have generated on the ground.
Aatif Qayoom
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