Global News Post Fastest Global News Portal
Related Articles
Even because the Pahalgam assault shattered the tourism trade in Kashmir, teach connectivity to Kashmir is proving to be a game-changer. In the remaining 4 days because the Vande Bharat was once introduced, 4,576 vacationers have reached Kashmir by way of teach, and of them, roughly 3,200 had been vacationers, most commonly those that had come to Katra for Darshan. The Vande Bharat Express, introduced on June 6 by way of PM Modi, which connects Katra to Srinagar, is thought to noticeably spice up Kashmir’s tourism trade—an trade contributing 7-8% to Jammu and Kashmir’s financial system.
At a time when Kashmir’s motels, houseboats, and huts are 90% empty following the Pahalgam terrorist assault, teach connectivity has introduced new hope that it’s going to play an important position in reviving Kashmir’s tourism. Train commute to Kashmir takes much less time, prices much less cash, and gives foolproof safety. By teach, one may have a one-day picnic in Kashmir, arriving within the morning and departing within the night. Tourist buyers consider it is a superb present for Kashmir.
Manzoor Pakhtoon, a member of the Kashmir Hotel Association, mentioned, “A lot of tourists were not able to travel to Kashmir due to different reasons, as it was not an affordable destination for them. But I feel, especially because of the train, most pilgrims will now be able to come. We hope the train’s arrival will contribute, and the Yatra will proceed well.”
He added, “People from South Asia want to come via the train route to see the natural beauty; they want to experience it once, and we see their enthusiasm. We hope we will get tourism back on track. I think tourists who used to come to Katra didn’t come here because of connectivity, but now it’s a 3-hour journey. We have inputs that they wish to come; it will be a game-changer. It can also add to weekend tourism.”
The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat teach covers the 190 km distance in beneath 3 hours, halving the street commute time. It will perform year-round, even in harsh winters, in contrast to the Srinagar-Jammu freeway, which has confronted 223 days of closures since 2019 because of landslides and climate. This all-weather reliability guarantees constant get right of entry to for vacationers.
Compared to air commute, which noticed 30-40% value surges all the way through height seasons, the Vande Bharat gives an economical choice, making Kashmir out there to budget-conscious travellers, as prime airfares at all times deter middle-class vacationers from coming to Kashmir.
The Pahalgam terror assault, killing 26 vacationers, shattered the Kashmir tourism trade, resulting in a 90% cancellation price and a 45% drop in flight bookings. The teach’s release and PM Modi’s talk over with, assurance, and the Chenab Bridge inauguration have signalled protection and balance, which is rebuilding vacationer self belief. Following those confidence-building measures, the TAAI (Travel Agents Association of India) is tenting in Kashmir, and 75 individuals of this oldest group are all set to take all steps, from assembly ministers to enticing with other people around the nation, for Kashmir tourism revival.
Sunil Kumar, President of TAAI, mentioned, “Today, it’s a need for us; we are not here for business. We are here to join the people of Kashmir. It’s a number one destination, and we can’t be silent; we can’t see every hotel empty. No one wants to come, but I hope when we have come, we will go and talk to people. We will write to the ministry, and I hope change will happen. The step (train) the government has taken is fantastic to connect Katra. With the efforts we are all making, I hope there will be a positive response.”
Kashmir welcomed 2.95 million vacationers in 2024, producing round Rs 12,000 crore. The teach is anticipated to extend footfall, together with low-budget home vacationers and Mata Vaishno Devi devotees who are available in crores once a year to Katra and still have best an instantaneous 3-hour commute to Kashmir. Tourist footfall will build up, and this will likely get advantages motels, houseboats, and native companies like handicrafts and horticulture in Kashmir.
Sameer Baktoo, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Travel Agents Chapter, mentioned, “It shall be a game-changer as a result of airfares had been skyrocketing, and this teach adventure shall be reasonably priced, boosting tourism. Because of the teach, we can get numerous mid-range vacationers who used to come back to Katra and return from there, however now they are able to come and revel in Kashmir. We are positive that as a result of the teach, vacationer footfall will build up.”
The teach course gives surprising perspectives of valleys and mountains, bettering the commute enjoy. It additionally options the arena’s tallest bridge, the Chenab Bridge, which showcases engineering excellence, drawing international consideration, and reinforcing Kashmir as a contemporary, out there vacation spot, and that during itself is a smart appeal for other people to commute by means of this teach. The Vande Bharat’s velocity, affordability, and symbolic price as a marker of growth make it a pivotal building for Kashmir’s tourism, fostering financial enlargement and cultural integration. Additionally, the impending holy Amarnath Yatra will stay a focal point, as its luck will lend a hand tourism get again on course and run on the velocity of Vande Bharat.
