SRINAGAR: Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir has experienced a notable surge in recent years, though the Ministry of Tourism has not conducted a specific study to assess its economic impact. In response to a question in the Lok Sabha on February 3, 2025, by Balwant Baswant Wankhade, the Ministry outlined the steps being taken to accommodate and sustain the growing number of visitors to the region, with a focus on both Kashmir Valley and Jammu division.
The Government has introduced various initiatives to boost tourism and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), and the Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development. These schemes are designed to provide financial assistance to state governments, union territory administrations, and central agencies for the development of tourism-related infrastructure.
One of the major schemes, Swadesh Darshan, was revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), aiming to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in the region. The scheme takes a tourist- and destination-centric approach, ensuring that the tourism growth is matched with infrastructure improvements to handle the rising influx of tourists.
Under this scheme, Basholi, a town in Jammu and Kashmir, has been identified as a key destination. Several projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan are already underway to enhance tourism infrastructure, including the development of tourist facilities across different circuits in Jammu and Kashmir. The Himalayan Circuit, a project launched in 2016-17, aims to develop facilities along the Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Bhagwati Nagar-Anantnag-Salamabad-Uri-Kargil-Leh route. The project has an allocated budget of Rs 77.33 crore. Other notable developments under this circuit include improvements in the Jammu-Rajouri-Shopian-Pulwama area (Rs 81.60 crore) and the rebuilding of assets destroyed in the 2014 floods (Rs 90.43 crore).
Moreover, significant upgrades are being made in areas such as Mantalai and Sudhmahadev, and Anantnag-Pulwama-Kishtwar-Pahalgam-Zanskar Padum-Daksum-Ranjit Sagar Dam, with sanctioned amounts of Rs 91.99 crore and Rs 86.39 crore, respectively. Further, the development of tourist facilities at Gulmarg-Baramulla-Kupwara-Kargil-Leh is also progressing, with an allocated Rs 91.84 crore.
In addition to Swadesh Darshan, the PRASHAD scheme focuses on enhancing pilgrimage destinations. One such initiative is the development of facilities at the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar, with an approved cost of Rs 40.46 crore, of which Rs 34.30 crore has already been released.
The government has also been proactive in ensuring that the tourism growth trajectory is sustainable. Plans to introduce eco-friendly and infrastructure improvement projects are in place to accommodate the increasing number of tourists while maintaining environmental integrity. The specific timelines for the completion of these projects were not detailed in the response, but these investments are set to significantly enhance the region’s tourism appeal in the coming years.
While the government has not conducted an economic study, the focus on infrastructure development suggests that the surge in tourism is expected to contribute positively to Jammu and Kashmir’s economy. The combination of enhanced facilities, eco-friendly initiatives, and strategic tourism planning is aimed at fostering long-term, sustainable growth for the region.
