CCIK Urges PM Modi to Visit Kashmir on Diwali, Calls for Tourism Revival

SRINAGAR: The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kashmir (CCIK) held a meeting with officials from the Administration, Police, Traffic Department, and Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to discuss several pressing public issues.

Concerns raised during the meeting included parking shortages, severe traffic congestion—particularly in Shahr-e-Khaas—encroachment of footpaths by vendors, rash driving by Smart City buses, the menace of stray dogs, the recent rotten meat incident, frequent highway closures, and issues faced by fruit growers, along with pending compensation for flood victims.

Following the meeting, a press conference was held where several key issues were highlighted.

CCIK President Tariq Gani appealed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to celebrate Diwali in Kashmir and invite people from across the country to visit the Valley in order to revive and restore the tourism sector, which is currently in decline.

He also urged the Lieutenant Governor to provide compensation to fruit growers and flood victims of Jammu Kashmir, announce a special economic package for business fraternity, including a one-year waiver on loan interest and open all the tourist destinations in the Valley to boost the local economy.

Furthermore, Gani requested the administration to publicly identify those responsible for the rotten meat incident, ensuring that innocent traders do not suffer due to the actions of a few.

On the occasion, CCIK also signed an MoU with Paras Hospital, under which members of the chamber and their families will receive multiple healthcare benefits—(KNO)