Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 27: The All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association (AJHLA), led by President Pawan Gupta, held a meeting with the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir UT, Omar Abdullah, at his Civil Secretariat office to submit suggestions for Budget 2026-27, focusing on the promotion of tourism in the region.
During the interaction, Gupta appreciated the UT Government for restoring the Durbar Move and launching e-smart bus services from Katra to Jammu. However, he raised concerns over several pending announcements, including the non-construction of the Convention Centre and water games projects at Sidhra, the absence of new animal and marine species in Jumbo Zoo and Oceanarium, the non-installation of the vertical lift connecting Mubarak Mandi with Peer Kho and the lack of a Tourism Advisory Committee.
The president highlighted the economic challenges faced by the Jammu hotel industry, worsened by the extension of train services to Katra and Kashmir. He cautioned that the upcoming express corridor could further impact the region’s economy and stressed the need to promote Jammu as an independent tourist destination.
He urged the Government to prioritize completion of mega projects like the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, Artificial Lake and Tawi riverfront beautification, along with the development of key heritage and religious sites including Ambaran Buddhist Site, Jia Pota Ghat, Soni Mahiwal Point and Raghunath Temple.
He also requested simplification of hotel registration, easier NOC processes and reconsideration of annual police character certificate requirements. The Chief Minister patiently heard the delegation’s concerns and suggestions, assuring that the inputs would be considered for the upcoming budget.
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