CUSHMANÂ &Â WAKEFIELDÂ
Tourism is one of the key industries in J&K given its strategic location, geography and resources. The state has accorded tourism premier priority. Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are the three distinctive regions in the state that have attracted tourists for centuries.
Kashmir Valley offers lush green forests, springs, perennial rivers, scenic alpines and pleasant weather. Jammu region, with its numerous temples, is also famous for pilgrimages. Kashmir Valley, the Vaishno devi shrine in Jammu and Leh in Ladakh witness majority of the tourist arrivals. According to the ministry of tourism, domestic arrivals have increased to 9.97 million at a growth rate of 8 per cent during 2009-10 while there has been a decline by 11 per cent to 48,000 foreign tourists for the same period. The growth rate in arrivals is slower in the J&K state as compared to that of the country which stands at 10.7 per cent for domestic and 24.2 per cent for foreign in 2009-10.
As illustrated in the table, 77 per cent of arrivals are in the Jammu region. While Ladakh is the preferred destination for foreign tourists, Jammu and Kashmir valley are preferred by domestic tourists.
Challenges in infrastructure development
With the advantage of the unique geography of hilly terrain, comes the disadvantage of challenges in developing infrastructure. The economy suffers due to poor accessibility and connectivity, a heightened likelihood of natural disasters, inaccessibility, sparse population density, etc.
Connectivity
Airways — Jammu, Leh and Srinagar are the main cities of J&K with air connectivity. Out of these, Srinagar airport has been upgraded to international, marking a constructive progress in the infrastructure of the state.
Road — The undulating topography of J&K makes its roads the prime means of transport. NH 1A connects the two capital cities (Srinagar and Jammu). Buses and taxis are easily available. The total road length of the national highways in the state stands at 1,245 kms.The longest highway is 422 kms in length, connecting Srinagar, Kargil and Leh. JKTDC and JKSRTC also run luxury coaches to facilitate tourists. About 84 road projects are under various stages of execution in the state. NHAI is implementing three annuity-type road projects with the total cost estimates of Rs6,320 crores.
Railways — J&K is very well connected by rail network across major parts of the country. Jammu Tawi and Udhampur are the main railway nodes in the state. The train connecting Kashmir Valley from Qazigund to Baramulla operates regularly. The Jammu-Udhampur-Katra-Quazigund-Baramulla Railway Line which is over 326 kms is the biggest project in mountains taken up since decades. This national project is being carried out in three legs; Udhampur to Katra (25 kms), Katra to Qazigund (129 kms) and Qazigund to Baramulla (119 kms). As per Northern Railway, the last estimated cost as of October 2012 of the project is Rs19,565 crores with Rs8,093 crores already spent. The project is due to be completed by 2017.
New initiatives
The MoT has given security clearance for opening of 104 additional peaks in J&K (Leh area). This will firm up the Himalayas’ positioning as an adventure tourism destination. Alongside, issues pertaining to the use of GPS and satellite phone by bonafide tour operators has been taken up for enhancing safety standards to that of international level.
Central Financial Assistance has been extended to develop two new FCIs in J&K, to be located in Jammu & Leh. This step would narrow down the demand-supply gap for skilled manpower.
A detailed project report for the development of Leh as a spiritual destination is scheduled to be submitted to MoT by the engineering services division.
The Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM)/Gulmarg Winter Sports Project by Directorate General of Tourism conducts ski and other courses in J&K valley.
Mega destinations and circuits identified by the MoT in J&K are Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, Jammu, Naagra Nagar Circuit (Watlab via Hazratbal, Tulmullah, Mansbal and Wullar Lake), Srinagar, Spiritual and Wellness Destination Leh-Ladakh. Some of the identified and sanctioned projects as mega tourist destinations are given in the table below.
Project Name                                                  Status                   Cost (Cr)       Type                       Implementing Agency
4 laning of Jammu Udhampur Section      Construction       1,814              BOT-Annuity         NHAI
4 laning of Qazigund-Banihal Section        Construction       1,987             BOT-Annuity         NHAI
4 Laning of Chennai to Nashri Section      Construction        2,519             BOT-Annuity         NHAI
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This gives an indication that close to 20 per cent of the project sanctioned amount have been released marking 2011 and 2012 as significant years for J&K’s tourism infrastructure development.
Impact
J&K’s beautiful Kashmir Valley, spiritual and scenic Leh-Ladakh as well as the pilgrim destinations in Jammu have been attracting domestic tourists year-on-year. Foreign tourist arrivals trend show conservative growth mainly due to the political instability in the state. Widely reported violent activities tend to deter tourists from the state despite its potential.
The government has taken constructive steps to make the state safe for tourists, besides also investing in infrastructure development. According to the 11th Five Year Plan by the MoT, 112 projects of about Rs219.94 crores — the maximum number of projects among all states in the country — have been sanctioned.
