At the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) event entitled ‘Rally for the Valley – Let’s Go to Jammu and Kashmir’, a tourism revival initiative held on Wednesday, Abdullah underscored ongoing efforts to enhance tourism infrastructure and restore confidence in the region.
“Tourists embark on journeys filled with experiences. They return home and share their stories. I believe there are lessons we’ve learned in recent months,” he stated, recognizing the challenges that have affected the tourism industry as of late.
Visited the tallest railway bridge in the world, The Chenab Bridge, to review arrangements for the visit of the Hon PM @narendramodi ji tomorrow. Tomorrow is a landmark day for J&K when, finally, the valley will be connected to the rest of the country by a railway link to be… pic.twitter.com/bthZVHQ33j
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) June 5, 2025
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Abdullah shared that actions are being taken to modernize significant tourist attractions. “I have already instructed the cable car corporation to upgrade the gondola in Gulmarg to increase capacity, improve ticketing, and enhance the overall experience. The same improvements will be made throughout J&K,” he remarked.
The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the TAAI delegation for their support by visiting Kashmir following recent turmoil. “At this moment, I would like to extend my thanks to the President of the TAAI delegation, Sunil Kumar, and all of you who have come from outside J&K for your trust and confidence in us,” he stated.
“It’s often said: you truly recognize your friends during tough times. Everyone wants to be your friend during good times,” Abdullah, who also serves as the tourism minister, noted.
The event occurred just under two months after the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, including 25 tourists and one local resident. This incident severely impacted the tourism industry in the valley.
Reflecting on the tragedy, Abdullah remarked that the visit by the TAAI delegation showcased their unwavering commitment to the region. “I want to express my deep gratitude, not only from myself or the government, but on behalf of everyone involved in tourism in Kashmir, thank you for being here and uplifting us,” he said.
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He further stressed the necessity of learning from such events. “It’s challenging to discuss the future without reflecting on how we arrived at this point. The tragic incident on April 22 in Baisaran must never be forgotten,” he said. “It remains a tragedy for the families of 26 individuals, 25 of our guests and one local. A tragedy for their children and relatives.”
The Chief Minister commended the immediate response from citizens throughout the region. “For the first time in my memory, people across Jammu and especially in Kashmir came together spontaneously to denounce the attack and stand in solidarity.
“What occurred after April 22 was not orchestrated by any political party or organization; it was spontaneous and heartfelt,” he remarked.
He continued: “The people of Kashmir aimed to show the rest of the country and the world that the attack did not occur in their name. It did not represent them, nor align with their values, and they did not wish to remain silent or allow anyone to think they were complicit.”
Looking ahead, Abdullah stated that while the region is undergoing a metaphorical winter, brighter days are on the horizon. “There is no doubt that we are currently in a winter of disastrous proportions, but winter is merely a season and cannot last indefinitely. The snow must melt,” he added.
He also praised the recent improvements in connectivity to Kashmir, particularly via rail. “Today, Kashmir has a railway. You were able to cross the tallest railway bridge in the world, which stands as a testament to the hard work of engineers and the companies that constructed it. You traversed the only cable-stayed railway bridge in the nation. And you achieved this in a region faced with extreme challenges. We hope to see more visitors,” he said.
Abdullah emphasized that there might be a limited timeframe in which the region can lay claim to the title of having the highest railway bridge. “We should encourage as many people as possible to cross this bridge. Currently, we can proudly claim that we possess the highest railway bridge in the world,” he remarked.
