The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Janata Dal (United) on Saturday accused the Union Territory administration of pushing Kashmir’s tourism industry towards collapse due to what it described as administrative incompetence, systemic negligence, and policy paralysis.
In a statement, JDU said tourism—the primary economic lifeline of the region—has been severely disrupted, with hotels facing prolonged power outages, houseboats becoming non-functional, and winter tourism effectively sabotaged. The party warned that thousands of workers dependent on the sector are staring at a potential loss of livelihood.
Terming the situation an “institutional failure” rather than a routine economic downturn, JDU said the administration’s claims of “record tourism” stand exposed in the face of ground realities. It alleged that chronic electricity shortages, lack of winter-specific infrastructure, and mismanagement have led to booking cancellations and growing reputational damage for Kashmir as a tourist destination.
The party held the UT administration responsible for what it called “economic vandalism,” arguing that the inability to ensure uninterrupted power supply and basic civic services during sub-zero temperatures reflects a serious abdication of governance.
JDU cautioned that unless immediate, time-bound corrective measures are taken and accountability is fixed on the concerned departments, the tourism economy could suffer irreversible damage. “The government cannot preside over collapse and escape scrutiny,” the statement said.
Emphasising that the sector requires effective governance rather than publicity, the party said Kashmir’s tourism industry is at a critical juncture and warned that history would judge those who remained silent as the crisis unfolded.
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