Srinagar, Apr 14: With the shadow of conflict still hanging over West Asia, Hajj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are preparing to depart for the holy land beginning April 18, even as uncertainty over the Iran-US-Israel standoff continues to stir unease among those readying for the annual pilgrimage.

A total of 4701 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to undertake the Hajj this year, a figure significantly lower than in previous years.

Those familiar with the Hajj process point to a combination of factors behind the decline, with the steep rise in pilgrimage costs and a deepening liquidity crunch across Kashmir emerging as the primary reasons.

The overall cost of Hajj has climbed considerably in recent years, pushed up by currency fluctuations, higher service charges, and increased accommodation costs in Saudi Arabia, pricing out a section of pilgrims who had been saving for years with the intention of making the journey this season.

The broader economic squeeze felt across the valley has compounded the problem. Traders, small business owners, and daily wage earners in Kashmir have spoken of tightening household budgets, and for many families, the financial ask of Hajj this year proved simply too steep to meet.

The result is a noticeably thinner contingent heading out from the region compared to years past.

Hajj flights from Srinagar are set to commence on April 18 and will continue through May 20.

The Executive Officer of the Hajj Committee, Shujat Ahmed, confirmed the schedule while also addressing the fears that have gripped many of the departing pilgrims.

On whether the ongoing conflict in the region posed a threat to the pilgrims’ safety, Ahmed struck a measured tone.

“We are hopeful that things remain calm,” he said, adding that the situation was not entirely within their control.

“It is not in our hands,” he acknowledged, even as he sought to reassure pilgrims and their families that all necessary precautions were being taken.

The flights from Srinagar are expected to operate for approximately 10 to 15 days, with schedules remaining subject to adjustment depending on operational requirements.

He said the Hajj Committee was working closely with relevant authorities to ensure the smooth departure and transit of all registered pilgrims from J&K.

This year, the pilgrimage comes with a fresh set of regulations from Saudi authorities that mark a notable shift from previous years. Stricter health screening protocols have been introduced, and pilgrims found to be suffering from serious medical conditions, including renal failure, those currently undergoing dialysis, or those with significant cardiac ailments, have been screened out from the cohort.

Among the more visible changes this season is the discontinuation of self-cooking facilities that pilgrims had previously relied upon during their stay.

“Self-cooking facilities have been discontinued this year, and pilgrims will instead be provided food arrangements,” Ahmed said.

In addition, each pilgrim departing from J&K will be issued a smartwatch equipped with a SIM-enabled tracking system, designed to help authorities monitor movement and coordinate more effectively in the event of an emergency.

The mood among private Hajj operators is somewhat less composed.

A private operator, who did not wish to be named, said the community remained deeply anxious.

“We are worried about the situation,” the operator said, reflecting what many in the pilgrimage sector privately feel.

Among those departing in the first batch is Muhammad Yusuf, an old, retired government employee, who has waited over a decade for this moment. Despite the fear, his resolve is unshaken.

“I have waited my whole life for this. Whatever Allah has written will happen. We leave trusting in Allah,” he said.

Srinagar, Apr 14: Additional Director General of Police,Fire and Emergency Services Jammu and Kashmir, Alok Kumar on Tuesday said that they are strengthening its capabilities with modern equipment and enhanced training to safeguard lives and property across the Union Territory.

Speaking during the inaugural events of Fire Service Week, he highlighted that the department has procured advanced machinery worth crores and established a new training centre in Bishnah, while personnel are also being trained in Nagpur to improve response efficiency and lifesaving operations. Fire Service Week, observed annually from April 14 to 20 across India, is being marked in Jammu and Kashmir with a strong focus on public awareness, fire prevention, capacity building and community safety.

Alok Kumar, who is leading the department’s initiatives, underscored the importance of collective efforts in safeguarding lives and property. In his address during the week’s inaugural events, he said: “We have purchased latest equipments and property worth crores is being saved.” He further announced, “We opened a training centre in Bishnah, Jammu and our boys were sent to Nagpur for training.” Kumar urged citizens: “In case of any fire incident people must call and we will reach in limited time.”

The department’s official message for the week reads: “Fire Service Week promotes awareness, prevention, and response, highlighting training, reduced incidents, advanced technology, and lifesaving efforts by firefighters protecting lives, property, and strengthening community safety across Jammu and Kashmir: ADGP F&ES JK #AlokKumar.”

The backdrop to this year’s Fire Service Week is particularly encouraging, thanks to a marked improvement in fire safety outcomes during 2025. Official data released by the Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) Department at the end of last year revealed that J&K recorded 6,039 fire incidents in 2025 — a significant 25% decline from 8,033 cases in 2024. This translates to 1,994 fewer incidents, attributed largely to sustained preventive measures, improved preparedness, enhanced public participation and large-scale awareness campaigns. The department responded to these 6,039 fire calls, along with 59 rescue operations and 53 false alarms, deploying 322 fire tenders and Quick Response Vehicles (QRVs) supported by 2,157 personnel.

Timely and coordinated operations helped save property worth approximately Rs 5,000 crore, while material losses were restricted to around Rs 300 crore. Damage was reported to 1,409 structures, 72 vehicles, 46 shopping complexes and 91 electric transformers. Forest fires in Kashmir also showed a notable drop. Around 350–366 incidents were recorded in 2025 (up to early 2026 data), down sharply from over 1,000 the previous year, affecting nearly 972 hectares. This decline reflects better coordination between the Fire Services and the Forest Department, along with awareness drives targeting dry-season risks.’ Senior officials credited the reduction to intensified public education programmes. In 2025 alone, thousands of awareness drives reached lakhs of people, building on the “Har Ghar Fire Fighter” initiative that has trained over 8 lakh citizens in fire prevention, first aid and basic firefighting since 2022. These efforts have empowered communities to act as first responders, reducing response times and minimising damage.

Srinagar, Apr 14: Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India, today hosted the Tourism Promotion and Expansion Plan Meet in Srinagar, reaffirming its long-term commitment to driving inclusive and sustainable economic development in Jammu & Kashmir. The event was attended by theHon’ble Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, as Chief Guest, along with Amitabh Chaudhry, MD& CEO, Axis Bank, and senior members of the Bank’s leadership team.

The discussions brought together policymakers, government officials, and banking leaders to focus on three immediate priorities—scaling tourismlinked businesses, expanding access to formal finance, and strengthening institutional collaboration for sustained regional growth. 

Attending the event as Chief Guest, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, said, “Jammu & Kashmir is entering a phase of stability, progress and opportunity. Strengthening tourism and enabling local enterprises through better access to finance will be critical to sustaining this momentum. Strong partnerships between institutions and industry will play a key role in driving inclusive growth across the region.”

The deliberations focused on bridging the gap between intent and execution, with an emphasis on channeling capital at scale into tourismlinked enterprises, formalising fragmented businesses, and removing barriers that continue to constrain access across the value chain.

Amitabh Chaudhry, Managing Director & CEO, Axis Bank, said, “The presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah underscores the importance of close collaboration between government and financial institutions in shaping the region’seconomic trajectory. The region stands at a clear inflection point, where stability, aspiration, and enterprise are coming together to create sustained economic momentum. Tourism lies at the heart of this transformation—not only as a driver of economic activity, but as a catalyst for livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and regional confidence. At Axis Bank, we are committed to enabling this ecosystem by supporting businesses through access to capital, digital capabilities, and long‑term partnerships.”

Tourism as a Growth Engine

Tourism is a cornerstone of the region’s economy, contributing nearly 7% to GSDP and supporting over five lakh livelihoods across the tourism and hospitality ecosystem. With more than 1.7 crore tourist visits in 2025, the region is witnessing a strong revival driven by higher footfalls, improved capacity utilisation, and renewed confidence among MSME‑led local enterprises.

Axis Bank has identified Jammu & Kashmir as a priority market for MSME growth, with a focused approach to empowering tourism and hospitality businesses through end‑to‑end financial solutions that support scale, resilience, and long‑term sustainability.

Axis Bank’s Expanding Presence in Jammu & Kashmir

Axis Bank’s growing presence in the region is backed by an expanding branch network and a diversified portfolio across retail, MSME, agriculture, tourism, and government‑linked segments. The Bank operates 54 branches across the Union Territory, including nine added in the past year, underscoring its focus on expanding access to banking. Through on‑ground engagement, Axis Bank supports entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, infrastructure development, and digital banking adoption, enabling capital formation and employment generation in the region.
Commitment Beyond Banking

Beyond business expansion, Axis Bank Foundation continues to support inclusive regional development through targeted interventions. This includes the Rupantar education programme, benefiting over 200 teachers and 3,500 students, and a rural livelihood initiative across Kulgam and Baramulla, enabling entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods for 144 individuals and 101 micro‑enterprises.

The event marked a coordinated effort between the government and financial institutions to accelerate regional development. Axis Bank reaffirmed its role as a long-term institutional partner in this journey, with a clear focus on strengthening the tourism linked ecosystem, supporting local businesses and households, and advancing infrastructure led growth with consistency, responsibility, and purpose.