The dismal performance of J&K’s Tourism Department over the past two financial years is a glaring example of administrative inertia and fiscal mismanagement. Despite crores being allocated annually to strengthen tourism infrastructure and enhance visitor experience, a shocking portion of these funds continues to remain unutilised. The figures presented in the Legislative Assembly paint a distressing picture: of Rs 52,217 lakh allocated over two years, only Rs 29,266 lakh has been utilised – a mere 56%. This chronic underutilisation is not confined to tourism’s few sub-departments but stretches across all major agencies and Tourism Development Authorities in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions. The data clearly exposes a culture of inefficiency and lack of planning that has seeped deep into the tourism administration. Tourism Department Kashmir, entrusted with promoting and maintaining the region’s prime attractions, could spend only 24% of its 2023-24 funds and 33% in 2024-25. Tourism Department Jammu fared marginally better, yet fell short of expectations with only 42% and 73% utilisation in consecutive years. What is even more alarming is the poor performance of the TDAs at J&K’s flagship destinations-Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and Patnitop. These are the very names that define J&K’s tourism identity, yet their respective development authorities have failed to spend even half of their allocated grants. The Pahalgam Development Authority could utilise only Rs 279 lakh out of Rs 500 lakh in 2023-24 and Rs 363 lakh out of Rs 600 lakh in 2024-25. Gulmarg and Sonamarg followed similar trends, with spending barely touching 60% of the sanctioned amount. Even Patnitop Development Authority could not manage to spend its full allocation – Rs 111 lakh of Rs 500 lakh in 2023-24 and Rs 285 lakh in 2024-25.
Such persistent underutilisation indicates not just financial lethargy but a deeper systemic failure. Either the projections and plans on which these allocations were based were faulty, or there is an absence of commitment to execute the approved projects. Both scenarios reflect poorly on the state of governance. Each TDA requires steady investment in infrastructure, basic amenities, and beautification projects to ensure sustained tourist inflow and economic return. Yet, on the ground, there is little progress to show.
Even JKTDC, the corporation tasked with developing hospitality infrastructure, has failed miserably. JKTDC, playing a pivotal role in creating infrastructure and hospitality facilities, has also faltered with an appalling 37% and 32% utilisation over the same period. Despite glaring shortages of decent restaurants and lodging facilities across key tourist destinations, JKTDC has shown no urgency in utilising funds for upgrading facilities. This level of inaction raises serious doubts about monitoring mechanisms and administrative accountability. When quarterly progress reports are mandated, how did such massive lapses escape scrutiny? Why were corrective measures not initiated well in time? The responsibility for these failures lies squarely on the higher authorities in the Tourism Department, who must be held accountable.
Tourism is the mainstay of J&K’s economy – a sector with immense potential to generate employment, foster entrepreneurship, and boost local livelihoods. Yet, when compared with tourism-centric regions like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, or Kerala, J&K continues to lag far behind in infrastructure and service quality. This should have been the time for aggressive expansion, not regression. Instead of demanding increased allocations, the Tourism Department now stands discredited due to its inability to even utilise the funds already available.
Immediate course correction is important. The Government must conduct a comprehensive review of all TDAs to assess the present status of fund utilisation and project implementation. Those unable to spend their allocated grants by February end should have their funds reallocated to more efficient destinations capable of delivering tangible outcomes. Strict timelines, accountability frameworks, and third-party audits should become integral to tourism planning. Tourism development cannot thrive on piecemeal efforts or token events. It requires a focused, long-term approach that blends infrastructure with aesthetics, sustainability, and local engagement. Unless the government revisits its entire tourism policy and institutes real-time monitoring, J&K’s tourism potential will continue to be squandered.
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