SRINAGAR, June 12: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a series of departmental review meetings to take stock of the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) plans for the year 2025–26 of the Tourism and Culture departments.
During the review, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring immediate approval of plans, authorization of funds and execution of development projects thereby strengthening the institutional capacity, and creating impactful outcomes.
Commissioner Secretary Tourism Yasha Mudgal presented a comprehensive overview of the department’s CAPEX implementation and future plans.
The department is coordinating its initiatives across various agencies which include directorates of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, JKTDC, SKICC, JKCCC, 21 tourism development authorities, and several golf courses.
As part of its 2024–25 CAPEX Plan, Rs 388.20 crore was approved, with Rs 247.66 crore (66.08%) already spent. Out of 1,551 total works, 871 have been completed so far, marking a 56% completion rate.
For 2025–26, the department has planned 1,071 total works with a financial outlay of Rs 191.87 crore, including funds for Shri Amarnathji Yatra. The meeting was also informed that a total of 312 new projects worth Rs 75.5 crore have been reviewed, while another 109 projects valued at Rs 18.07 crore are pending finalization.
The Chief Minister was informed that an amount of Rs 10 crore has been reserved for high-priority or technically viable works proposed by elected representatives. Action has already been initiated on several budget announcements, including Rs 10 crore for the preparation of tourism master plans, Rs 27 crore earmarked for sewerage and solid waste management projects in Gulmarg, Rs 6 crore for developing water sports infrastructure at major lakes, Rs 15 crore for winter sports facilities, and Rs 20 crore for exploring new tourism destinations.
She informed that plans are also underway to revive idle tourism assets, improve wayside amenities, and monetize under-utilized properties.
Targets for 2025–26 include the preparation of master plans for key destinations, strengthening of tourism infrastructure, enhanced destination development, and aggressive promotional campaigns to attract visitors.
Likewise, Secretary Culture presented an elaborate plan aimed at heritage restoration, infrastructure modernization, digitization, and promotion of regional arts and languages. The department has completed 16 out of 106 heritage restoration projects, with another 46 targeted for completion by March 2026.
A major focus is on the revival of the historic Mubarak Mandi Complex in Jammu, with Rs 30.02 crore allocated for the purpose. Under Phase III of the Heritage Revival Scheme, an additional 123 projects have been identified across various districts.
The department is finalizing its draft Cultural Policy, which will soon be put in public domain for consultation. Simultaneously, efforts are underway to modernize the SPS Museum; while repairs and improvements are already completed, a revised DPR worth Rs 19.80 crore has been submitted for making the museum fully functional.
Revival of the Tehzeeb Mahal project in Srinagar is also being actively pursued at its original site. Under the proposed Rs 132 crore budget for 2025–26, allocations have been made for the directorates of Archives, Archaeology & Museums, Libraries & Research, and the J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages. New projects include setting up library-cum-reading rooms and restoration of temples, forts, and shrines.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called for swift and effective execution to ensure that projects translate into measurable improvements on the ground & assured that his government remains committed to strengthening governance, modernizing public infrastructure, and accelerating inclusive development across all sectors.
The high-level discussions were attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Estates Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D Vaidya, Principal Secretary Culture Brij Mohan Sharma, Commissioner Secretary Tourism Yasha Mudgal, Secretary Revenue Kumar Rajiv Ranjan and other senior officials and heads of concerned departments.
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