Jahangeer Ganaie
Pahalgam, Sep 16: Parliamentary Committee on Commerce delegation led by its Chairperson, Dola Sen, interacted with stakeholders in Pahalgam on Tuesday to review the challenges faced by the tourism sector in the aftermath of the terror attack in April earlier this year.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Sen said the committee has been touring different parts of Jammu and Kashmir to assess the ground situation.
“We are here in Pahalgam today after meeting stakeholders in Srinagar yesterday, and tomorrow we will be in Leh to continue the discussions. Our primary objective is to understand the concerns of all stakeholders and prepare a comprehensive report that will be submitted to the concerned ministries and higher authorities of both the Union and the local government,” she said.
The Chairperson acknowledged the tragic loss of innocent lives in the recent incident, calling it an unfortunate event that has deeply saddened the nation. “While we share the grief of the victims’ families, we are also determined to ensure that such incidents do not permanently derail the growth of tourism and commerce in Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
Sen said the committee is committed to acting as a catalyst for the revival of commerce and tourism in the region. “We have a duty and responsibility to stand with the people of Kashmir. That is why we are on the ground today—to see the reality for ourselves. Based on our observations, a time-bound policy will be framed to restore confidence among tourists and revive the economy as early as possible,” she added.
Reiterating the delegation’s solidarity with the people of the valley, the delegation chairperson assured that every effort is being made to bring back normalcy and encourage tourists to visit Kashmir. “We are optimistic and confident that with collective efforts, the negative impact on commerce and tourism can be overcome. We are people’s representatives, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in this difficult time,” she said.
The meeting in Pahalgam saw participation from local hoteliers, travel agents, traders, and representatives of the tourism industry, who highlighted the urgent need for confidence-building measures, improved infrastructure, and safety assurances to revive tourist inflow in the valley.
