Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 22
Jammu and Kashmir cannot replicate Gulmarg’s tourism model at every destination, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, saying each location needed to be developed around its own attractions.
Responding to a question on tourism, Abdullah said installing cable cars alone would not guarantee higher visitor numbers.
“Every tourist destination has its own identity. We cannot make every tourist destination Gulmarg,” he said.
J&K currently has gondolas at Gulmarg and Patnitop, but ridership at Patnitop is lower, Abdullah said.
The proposed cable car project at Doodhpathri is under consideration and would depend on approval, completion of formalities and availability of funds, he said.
The government instead plans to build Doodhpathri around its potential for winter and adventure tourism.
Skiing was introduced there in 2023, and a drag lift became operational in 2026.
The government has also identified land for visitor facilities along the Arigam-Reyar Ich stretch and about 25 kanal near Kralpathri for a proposed tourist transit hub and parking facility.
A detailed project report for the Rs 75-crore facility has been submitted to the federal tourism ministry under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, Abdullah said.
The government is also assessing tourism potential in several areas of Khan Sahab and plans to diversify tourism across Jammu through pilgrimage, heritage, adventure, eco, rural, cultural and wellness offerings.
Tourism development spending in Jammu division rose from Rs 56.50 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 62.85 crore in 2025-26, Abdullah said.
