SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the Government would follow a destination-specific approach to tourism development rather than replicate the infrastructure model of Gulmarg across the Union Territory.
Replying to questions from MLA Saif-ud-Din Bhat during the ongoing Autumn Session of the J&K Legislative Assembly, Abdullah, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, said each destination has its own attractions and tourism potential.
“We can’t make every tourist destination Gulmarg, and build gondolas at every destination. Every tourist destination has its unique and separate attraction,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the significantly higher ridership of the Gulmarg Gondola compared with the one at Patnitop was among the factors that needed to be considered before proposing similar infrastructure elsewhere.
On the proposed Gondola/Cable Car project at Doodhpathri, Abdullah said the proposal was under consideration by the Government. Its execution would depend on approval by the competent authority, completion of the required formalities and availability of funds.
He said winter adventure tourism at Doodhpathri had expanded since the Tourism Department introduced snow skiing there in 2023, with the activity continuing during subsequent winter seasons.
A Drag Lift was constructed and made operational in 2026, providing additional facilities for skiers and supporting regular skiing training and other winter adventure activities.
The Government is also pursuing infrastructure measures around Doodhpathri aimed at improving visitor management and easing pressure on the destination.
State land at five locations along the Arigam–Reyar Ich stretch has been identified for wayside facilities, including amenities for visitors and local vendors. Administrative approval for the facilities has been granted at an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh, with the works currently at the tendering stage.
Around 25 kanals of State land near the Sheep Farm at Kralpathri has also been identified for a proposed Tourist Transit Hub and a 400-car parking facility at Doodhpathri.
A Detailed Project Report for the facility, estimated to cost Rs 75 crore under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0, has been prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, for consideration and approval.
The proposed hub and parking facility is intended to regulate vehicular movement and improve visitor management at Doodhpathri, thereby reducing vehicular pressure at the destination.
On tourism development in Khansahib, Abdullah said the Tourism Department had begun identifying and assessing areas with potential for future tourism development.
Site visits have been conducted, in consultation with local stakeholders and officials from the Revenue and Forest Departments, to Pushker, Shoplian, Nowgam, Drung, Habber, Banglapathri and Palmasidan to assess their tourism potential and the feasibility of developing related infrastructure.
He said suitable locations would be considered for inclusion in future tourism development plans based on tourism potential and feasibility, availability of suitable land and fulfilment of statutory and administrative requirements.
The process for identifying, demarcating and transferring State land at Banglapathri and along the Zoogu–Sitaharan stretch has also been initiated with the Revenue authorities and is under process for further action.
