JAMMU, June 4: Despite repeated official announcements regarding preparation of comprehensive Master Plans for Tourism Development Authorities (TDAs) across Jammu and Kashmir, the exercise has yet to make any significant headway with the administration still to shortlist an agency for the task.
Procedural delays slow roadmap for planned development
*No agency finalized despite repeated official reviews
The delay has slowed efforts aimed at ensuring planned and sustainable development of tourist destinations, even as the importance of having structured growth strategies for tourism hubs has been repeatedly emphasized at the highest levels.
Official sources told that following a high-level decision, the Tourism Department, through a communication dated October 28, 2024, approached the Town Planning Organization (TPO) seeking detailed inputs for formulation of separate Master Plans for each Tourism Development Authority.
The Tourism Department sought clarity on the financial implications involved in engaging consultants, the time period required for preparation, the procedure to be adopted and the documents to be furnished by the respective Development Authorities. The Town Planning Organization submitted the requisite details to the Tourism Department but the former was not approached again.
The issue subsequently came under review on November 11, 2024, when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while chairing a meeting of the Tourism Department, directed officials to strengthen Tourism Development Authorities and take immediate steps towards preparation of Master Plans for ensuring planned development of tourism destinations.
The matter was again reviewed on February 19, 2025, when Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo stressed the need for structured growth and directed formulation of Master Plans for all Tourism Development Authorities to facilitate systematic and well-planned tourism development.
“However, the process remains at a preliminary stage till date”, sources said while disclosing that no agency has been shortlisted so far for undertaking the exercise. Moreover, the Tourism Department is yet to take a final decision on whether a single agency will prepare Master Plans for all Tourism Development Authorities or separate agencies will be engaged for different authorities.
“The implementation mechanism itself is still being finalized, which has contributed to the delay in moving the exercise forward”, they said, adding considerable time was also spent on deliberations regarding the role of the Town Planning Organization in the preparation of the Master Plans.
Discussions continued for months on whether the exercise should be carried out with active involvement of the Town Planning Organization, which functions under the Housing and Urban Development Department, or be handled independently by the Tourism Department.
“It has now been decided that the Tourism Department will undertake the exercise on its own, but valuable time has already been consumed in resolving procedural issues”, sources further said, adding “the Tourism Department is still in the process of collecting the requisite information from various Tourism Development Authorities, which is required before the planning exercise can formally begin”.
The delay assumes significance as Master Plans are considered critical for guiding future development of tourism destinations by providing a framework for infrastructure creation, land use, environmental protection, visitor management and other key aspects of tourism growth.
“Such plans are necessary to ensure that tourism expansion takes place in a coordinated and sustainable manner, particularly in destinations witnessing increasing tourist footfall”, sources said, adding “with several months having elapsed since the issue was first taken up formally, the absence of visible progress has raised concerns about the pace of implementation of a key initiative intended to shape the future development of tourism destinations across Jammu and Kashmir”.
In the absence of a Master Plan for each Development Authority, the tourism sector will continue to suffer from unregulated growth and infrastructure deficiencies, sources further said, adding, “many Tourism Development Authorities are functioning without a long-term vision, often resulting in haphazard development, ecological strain and poor visitor management systems”.
Without Master Plans, eco-sensitive zones, carrying capacity, infrastructure needs and land-use regulation cannot be scientifically determined, which ultimately hampers the sustainability of tourism in these areas.
It is pertinent to mention here that the purpose of any Master Plan is to promote growth and guide and regulate present and future development of areas with a perspective of 20-25 years, and such a plan is imperative for each and every tourist destination.
