Prolonged closure of Tosamaidan, Yousmarg for tourists adversely affected local economy: Govt tells Assembly

Srinagar, Feb 6: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that the prolonged closure of tourist destinations- Doodhpathri, Tosamaidan and Yousmarg adversely impacted the local economy.

The minister in-charge J&K tourism department said these places remained closed for tourist activities for the last nine months, owing to security related considerations.

The minister was replying to a question raised by MLA Saif Ud Din Bhat regarding the closure of tourist spots.

“The prolonged closure of these tourist destinations have adversely affected the local economy, thereby impacting the livelihood of ATV operators, vehicle owners, pony walas, stall owners, guides and other stakeholders dependent on tourism activities in these areas,” the minister informed the Assembly.

The government further sad that the continued closure of these tourist places caused distress
among local youth, including those who had availed loans from various financial institutions for running tourism-related businesses in the said destinations.

“The matter regarding re-opening of the Doodparthri, Tousmaidan and Youusmarg involves security considerations which is beyond the mandate of the Tourism Department at present,” the government said.

About the reopening of these tourist destinations, the government said that a DO letter from MLA Khansahib in this regard has been forwarded to Deputy Commissioner Budgam on 29. 10.2025, for appropriate action.

“Due to the unfortunate incident happened at Pahalgam and the consequent restrictions imposed by the District Administration, the Snow Skating Games at Doodhpathri could not be organized,” the government informed the House.

It further said that the Gondola/Ropeway project at Tosamaidan has been proposed by the PWD (R&B) Department through National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) under the Parvatmala Scheme, asconveyed vide Government Order No. 373-PW(R&B) of 2023 dated 06.09.2023.