Sat Sharma raises J&K tourism issues in Rajya Sabha

Srinagar, Feb 5: Bharatiya Janata Party Jammu and Kashmir President and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Sat Sharma raised issues related to tourism development in the Union Territory during the ongoing session of Parliament.
Replying to an unstarred question, Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presented detailed data on tourist inflow and steps taken to strengthen tourism infrastructure and generate employment in the region.
The Minister informed the House that 94.55 lakh pilgrims and tourists visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in 2024, while 69.32 lakh visited in 2025, reflecting the continued religious and tourism importance of the region.
Providing district-wise figures for the Jammu region, he said over two crore domestic tourists visited in 2024, while more than 1.62 crore visited in 2025 (provisional). Districts including Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar recorded significant tourist movement.
Highlighting infrastructure development, Shekhawat said six projects were sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme’s Himalayan Circuit in 2016–17 at a cost of Rs 519.58 crore, all of which have been completed. He added that the scheme has now been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with a focus on sustainable tourism.
The Minister said these initiatives have helped increase tourist footfall and local employment, contributing to socio-economic growth.
Replying to a specific query by Sat Sharma on the Seven Lakes in Rajouri and Poonch, he said the Jammu Tourism Department is promoting these destinations through digital campaigns, familiarisation tours, participation in travel fairs and cultural events.
Sat Sharma welcomed the response and said the BJP-led Central Government remains committed to balanced and sustainable tourism development in Jammu and Kashmir to improve livelihoods and create new job opportunities. (KINS)