Srinagar, Feb 6: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that the prolonged closure of tourist destinations- Doodhpathri, Tosamaidan and Yousmarg adversely impacted the local economy.

The minister in-charge J&K tourism department said these places remained closed for tourist activities for the last nine months, owing to security related considerations.

The minister was replying to a question raised by MLA Saif Ud Din Bhat regarding the closure of tourist spots.

“The prolonged closure of these tourist destinations have adversely affected the local economy, thereby impacting the livelihood of ATV operators, vehicle owners, pony walas, stall owners, guides and other stakeholders dependent on tourism activities in these areas,” the minister informed the Assembly.

The government further sad that the continued closure of these tourist places caused distress
among local youth, including those who had availed loans from various financial institutions for running tourism-related businesses in the said destinations.

“The matter regarding re-opening of the Doodparthri, Tousmaidan and Youusmarg involves security considerations which is beyond the mandate of the Tourism Department at present,” the government said.

About the reopening of these tourist destinations, the government said that a DO letter from MLA Khansahib in this regard has been forwarded to Deputy Commissioner Budgam on 29. 10.2025, for appropriate action.

“Due to the unfortunate incident happened at Pahalgam and the consequent restrictions imposed by the District Administration, the Snow Skating Games at Doodhpathri could not be organized,” the government informed the House.

It further said that the Gondola/Ropeway project at Tosamaidan has been proposed by the PWD (R&B) Department through National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) under the Parvatmala Scheme, asconveyed vide Government Order No. 373-PW(R&B) of 2023 dated 06.09.2023.

Jammu, Feb 5: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday dared the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to remove Article 370 from the Constitution of India and asserted that the very next day, National Conference (NC) government would bring a resolution explicitly seeking its (Article 370ís) restoration in the House (Legislative Assembly).

“But it (BJP) could not do so as it knew that only Article 370 constitutionally bridged the relationship of J&K with the country,” CM Omar said replying to the debate on the motion of thanks on the Lieutenant Governorís address in the Legislative Assembly.

ìI reiterate that the NC government is resolute in its commitment to fulfil all promises made to the people. Above all among those promises is the restoration of the special status of J&K. Now LOP (Sunil Sharma) Sahab would raise an objection to the expression ìspecial statusî and ask ñ why are you not mentioning Article 370? We donít find it necessary to mention Article 370 because you (BJP-led central government) have not removed it (Article 370) from the Constitution (of India),î the Chief Minister responded to the jibe of the Leader of Opposition on the issue.

Earlier the LOP, while participating in the debate, had taken a dig at the NC-led government that its resolution passed in the maiden J&K Legislative Assembly session of J&K Union Territory was ìrejected by defaultî as there was nothing called ìspecial statusî with reference to J&K in the Constitution of India.

Further explaining the rationale behind not explicitly mentioning Article 370 in the resolution passed in the Legislative Assembly, CM Omar said, ìHad you removed it (Article 370), I would have emphasised the need to incorporate it in the Constitution. It is still there in the Constitution but you have hollowed it out. After the act of hollowing out, you snatched our special status from us (J&K). We are placing Article 370 there only (in the constitution). We are saying that (guaranteed) under it (Article 370), we will get our special status restored.î

He said, ìThat is why, this House passed that resolution in its maiden session that J&Kís special status, with constitutional guarantees, as provided in Article 370, which continues to remain on the statute books, will be restored. We need not say anything more about it. The day you will remove Article 370 from the Constitution, the very next day, we will definitely bring a resolution, in the House, seeking its (Article 370ís) restoration.î

However, the CM said that BJP could not do so.

ìThat you cannot do as both you and I know that the relationship of J&K with this country is constitutionally dependent on Article 370. Although you hollowed out the major portion of Article 370 but that legal portion you could not eradicate. That was why we did not deem it necessary to mention that here (in resolution),î he said.

CM Omar, at the very outset of his reply while winding up the debate, touched the issue, also in context to the opposition membersí dig that several issues which found mention in the LGís address delivered during the last yearís budget session or prior to it, did not figure in it (address) this year (2026).

ìWhen the government continues, it also finds reflection in the continuity of LGís address. That was why there was no repetition of the issues which figured in earlier two addresses. We did not include them thinking we would face the charge of repetition from the opposition. But now we are facing criticism why they (issues or promises) have not been included in the address,î he said.

CM Omar thanked the Lieutenant Governor for considering that his address was not the sole agenda of the session.

ìHe (LG) knew that many things would find mention in the budget and then in the grants and the government would have to present its perspective before the masses on many such occasions. So he (LG) touched on a few aspects in his address,î he said, adding that it (address) spelt out achievements of the government, schemes or plans under execution and the future roadmap.

Jammu, Feb 5: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Jammu.

He was received at the Jammu airport by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

The Home Minister will inspect Border Outpost Gurnam and Border Outpost Bobiya where he would e-inaugurate and e-lay the foundation stone of six welfare schemes for border guards to strengthen infrastructure and improve welfare measures.

He would also will chair a J&K security review meeting at Lok Bhavan, Jammu, to review the security situation and measures for maintaining peace and stability.

Home Minister Shah will interact with the families of the security personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty and participate in a compassionate appointment programme at Lok Bhavan.

On February 7, he will chair a meeting on J&Kís development to review ongoing initiatives and future plans.