PM Modi has been first to give idea of promoting a ‘one state, one global standard tourist destination’

By statetimes_editor Last updated Jan 4, 2026

Omar Abdullah must take on the call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Opportunity for J&K to focus on areas outside Valley for such a ‘one state, one global standard tourist destination’

DAYA SAGAR
The Government of Jammu & Kashmir has enough scope & also requirements for working in the direction of “one state, one global tourist destination” and that too worth showing to the world that once intentions are there unimaginable high potential tourist destinations could be placed on the world map even along Chenab Valley/Pir Panchal/other subregions of UT of J&K outside Kashmir Valley . In J&K there are many areas which have enough scope for development as tourist destinations of world class expectations. J&K’s Kashmir Valley has been attracting large tourist volume from all over even during pre 1947 times and has been observed as one of the unsurpassable Tourism potential ‘heaven’ and still there is enough scope even Kashmir valley worth placing on the world map the “tourist” heaven extending over many unexplored areas of J&K which have so far remained unattended not only before 1947 but even after 1947. No doubt all politicians when out of power and the new governments that come have been talking of there being high summer/ winter/ pilgrim/adventure /health resort/ sports tourism potential in the Chenab Valley/Pir Panchal/other sub regions outside Kashmir Valley but there have been paid no needed attention by “past” governments and ‘new’ government to professionally work for that ( so far no major yielding projects have seen the light worth commercial tourism in such areas that could meaningfully contribute to local economy ).
The 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India ) was attended by 24 Chief Ministers & seven Lt. Governors with the theme ” Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047″ and in reference Prime Minister emphasised that India needs to increase the speed of transformation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indian states to develop at least one global standard tourist destination each to attract international visitors and boost the local economy. Prime Minister opined so on 24th May 2025 as Chairman of the 10th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi and also said that with G20 Summit India got recognised as a global tourist destination. Hence in a way PM suggested that the states ‘must’ hold the opportunity to develop at least one tourist destination of global expectation in the respective State/ UT.
In brief it could be said that what the Prime Minister of India has said becomes a very very yielding opportunity for the local governments of States/ UTs, particularly like a UT of J&K and Narendra Modi had Chaired the meeting of Niti Ayog as Chairman by virtue of his being Prime Minister of India and he well knew that no state would be able to take to the burden of the costs of all Inputs that may be needed for such a venture independently & the States / UTs, would also come to centre for assistance. It cannot be denied , rather It has to be accepted that the Government of India has always been coming to support any well designed project with financial assistance where ever the proposals are well supported with healthy profile and well said projections.
It was on 28th May that while chairing a high-level meeting in Gulmarg to assess the functioning of various departments J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was reported as having said that holding back-to-back meetings at tourist resorts of Gulmarg & Pahalgam was an effort to instil public confidence and encourage people to visit Kashmir. It was also reported at the same in media that Gaurav Gupta, Spokesperson of J&K Bharatiya Janata Party unit had strongly criticized the Omar Abdullah-led government alleging that it had a selective approach in reviving the Union Territory’s ( J&K’ tourism sector following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam. No doubt Gaurav Gupta had also said that while the Chief Minister’s decision to convene Special Cabinet meetings in Pahalgam and Gulmarg for restoring confidence among tourists was welcome, the complete disregard for the Jammu region (equally impacted in terms of tourism and business) reflected a narrow and one-sided policy adding <“Jammu is not merely a transit point; it is a vital pillar of the UT’s cultural and spiritual tourism. From Katra to Patnitop, from historical temples to bustling markets-Jammu offers immense value to the tourism map of the region. The government must recognize this and act”>. In another press statement the NC Jammu Provincial President Rattan Lal Gupta had said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially those living in districts Poonch- Rajouri and border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, have borne the brunt of the recent escalation in cross-border firing tragically losing nearly 23 innocent civilian lives and demanded a well-structured comprehensive financial package from the Centre which would not only provide much-needed support to the affected families but also aid in rebuilding livelihoods, strengthening infrastructure, and revitalizing the local economy. So, surely , for multidimensional reasons there is utmost need for rehabilitation of the people & the areas that have suffered from lack of development & frequent cross border / LOC firings from Pakistan side most of which have always remained under adverse socio-economic environments thereby lacking in even routine development ( for which also these sub regions are to be compensated). These areas also have lot of tourism potential worth exploitation and could be made global standard destinations. So, the J&K Govt must catch on the call given by Prime Minister Narendar Modi on 24 May 2025 to develop at least one tourist destination of global expectation….. “”one state, one global tourist destination”.
The sub regions lying outside Kashmir Valley have enough area that could be as a Unit developed into a Global expectation Tourist Destination which would ofcourse need thousands of crores of INR as input from the government side for which world standard consultants could be retained to draw out the plans & drafts for the areas that have huge fair environment with also some difficult terrain in way likes of much different of which have been turned into super class destinations even by emirates like Dubai. PM Modi has also talked of rise in local economy through such ventures and that is very much relevant in the case of the such areas of Jammu Region, imagine in case one lakh crore INR is invested in the areas that we have how much will go to locals for their service / material inputs even from the capital invested in infrastructure & what fortunes will emerge for locals in terms of returns from tourism? …..
Mr Omar Abdullah must take on the call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is also chairman of Niti Aayog for “one state, one global tourist destination” and set for drawing out a project profile for approval of assistance from Government of India which will be surely supported by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
To be continued
(The writer is Senior Journalist and analyst J&K affairs [email protected] 9419796096)