Centre Says Over Rs 570 Cr Sanctioned for Tourism Projects in Jammu Kashmir  | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Government has said that Jammu and Kashmir continues to receive focused support for tourism development under national flagship schemes, with more than Rs 570 crore sanctioned so far for projects across major destinations and pilgrimage sites. The details were shared in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, outlining the Centre’s ongoing role in strengthening tourism infrastructure in the Union Territory.

Responding to a question by Sat Paul Sharma, the Tourism Ministry said that while the primary responsibility for assessing infrastructure gaps and promoting destinations lies with the Union Territory administration, the Centre has been extending sustained financial and promotional support. This assistance is being provided through schemes such as Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD, both of which have funded major projects in Jammu and Kashmir since 2016-17.

Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme alone, six projects worth Rs 519.58 crore have been sanctioned for Jammu and Kashmir. These include large-scale development works across the Himalayan Circuit, covering destinations such as Jammu, Srinagar, Pahalgam, Anantnag, Uri, Kargil and Leh. Other sanctioned interventions include rebuilding tourism assets destroyed in the 2014 floods, creating new facilities at Mantalai and Sudhmahadev, and upgrading infrastructure in Gulmarg, Baramulla, Kupwara and Zanskar.

In addition, the PRASHAD scheme has sanctioned Rs 40.46 crore for development works at the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar, one of the Valley’s most significant pilgrimage sites. Together, the total sanctioned funding under the two schemes amounts to nearly Rs 560 crore.

The Ministry said that depending on the need, these projects include components aimed at filling critical infrastructure gaps such as last-mile connectivity, log huts, public conveniences, CCTV coverage and other facilities that improve the tourist experience.

Alongside infrastructure development, the Centre is also promoting Jammu and Kashmir’s tourist destinations through ongoing initiatives such as social media outreach, tourism events, participation in roadshows, and support for fairs and festivals.

The Government told the Rajya Sabha that these initiatives form part of a broader effort to promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir in a “holistic manner”.