Gulmarg, June 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today confirmed his government’s resolve to re-establish Gulmarg as a major global golf destination, focusing on golfing infrastructure, international level tournaments and tourism-friendly features.
Speaking at an award ceremony for golfers and hotel businessmen at the Gulmarg Golf Championship, the Chief Minister, who also keeps tourism portfolio- said, “We want to make Gulmarg a world-class golf destination once again. Golf, golf infrastructure and tournament will be given special attention.
Accepting the necessary effort, Omar Abdullah said that the necessary investment has been justified in view of the economic and tourism capacity of Gulmarg. He said, “These are high-spending tourists who do not just play golfs-they live in hotels, travel to sightseeing, and shop. It’s about creating a holistic experience that brings them back from year to year,” he commented.
He recalled the pride of the past of Gulmarg Golf course, once a favorite among India’s top golfers. He said, “The names of the most prestigious professional and amateur golfers still beautify the walls of the Gulmarg club. Sadly, the situation has been ignored by the decline. But we are firm to bring it back,” he said.
The Chief Minister appreciated the role of the local MLA and emphasized the need for a tourist -friendly attitude towards the visitors. He said, “We should see every tourist not as a one -time visitor, but as a potentially repeated guest. Their satisfaction should be our benchmark,” he said, stressed the need to fulfill the need to meet the lovers and those from golfers and horse riders to winter sports lovers and those who only wish to rest in hotels.
Earlier in the day, CM Omar Abdullah inspected the newly built Gulmarg Convention Center, described it as an auditorium, meeting hall, guest room and “luxurious assets” with dining space. He introduced the idea of making evening holiday options such as cinema screening, coffee shops and restaurants such as “all-encosting destination”.
Highlighting the policy reforms, the Chief Minister revealed that the government is actively considering the establishment of a Jammu and Kashmir Golf Development Authority, which includes the managing and maintaining all the major golf courses in the center area – the veins such as Srinagar, Pahllagam, Gularg and Vinys in Jammu. He said, “We need dedicated coordination and professional maintenance of our greens and fairways. There should be a clear difference between Fairways and Rough,” he said.
His father and former CM Dr. Appreciating Farooq Abdullah – there is an emotional golfer and someone who has created a golf infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, he said that he would like to do something good for this game.
The Chief Minister also appreciated MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmed Shah, which was the driving force behind the tournament, hoping that such an initiative would become a recurring feature in the tourism calendar of Gulmarg.
Later, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for a 726 meter ski drag lift in CONGDOORI, which was constructed at an estimated cost of ₹ 6.84 crore. He also laid the foundation for the development and beautification of the water body, known as seven springs in Kongduri, with the cost of the project ₹ 50 lakh.
In Kongduri, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah interacted with tourists and inquired about his holiday experience in Kashmir. Visitors expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for his active role and leadership in reviving tourism in the region.
A group of ponywells also called the Chief Minister and apprised him of various concerns, especially reopening tourist destinations in and around Gulmarg. The Chief Minister assured him that all the issues raised would be addressed in a phased manner.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the Gulmarg Convention Center to inspect the ongoing works. He urged the officials to speed up the remaining works and ensure that the Center is started as soon as possible to promote tourism and facilitate major events.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister flagged off Cyclothon, encouraging youth participation in sports and promoted environmentally friendly tourism in the valley.
The Chief Minister was with his advisor Nasir Aslam Wani; Mlas Farooq Ahmad Shah, Javed Riyaz Bedar, Mubarak Gul, and Tanveer Sadiq; Chief Minister, Additional Chief Secretary to Dheeraj Gupta; Deputy Commissioner Baramullah; Managing Director, J&K Cable Car Corporation; Chief Executive Officer, Gulmarg Development Authority; And other concerned officers.
