Jammu needs strategy to turn pilgrims into long-stay tourists: J-K chief secretary
Jammu (PTI): A targeted strategy is needed to convert the rising pilgrim footfall in Jammu into longer tourist stays by promoting the region's wider leisure, heritage, adventure and spiritual attractions beyond the main pilgrimage route, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has said.
He stressed on proactive use of digital platforms and social media, including collaboration with influencers, to expand outreach and attract national as well as international tourists.
Dulloo was chairing a meeting to review the works and initiatives undertaken by the Tourism Department for promoting and strengthening tourism across Jammu region here, an official spokesman said.
He said the review focused on evaluating progress, enhancing infrastructure, and formulating strategies to position Jammu as a vibrant, year-round tourism destination.
Emphasising the immense tourism potential of the region, the chief secretary directed the department to intensify promotion and publicity of existing and emerging tourism circuits while ensuring timely completion of all ongoing works.
He underscored the need for a comprehensive strategy to convert the massive influx of pilgrims into multi-day tourists by encouraging them to explore leisure, heritage, adventure and spiritual experiences beyond traditional pilgrimage routes.
He noted that the initiation of adventure activities such as rafting, paragliding, bungee jumping and water sports would transform Jammu into a round-the-year tourism hub while simultaneously creating significant employment opportunities for local youth.
The chief secretary reviewed the progress of key pilgrimage circuits, including Katra-Shivkhori and Uttarbehni-Purmandal, alongside adventure circuits covering Aithem Jammu, Chenab Rail Bridge, Baradari (Reasi) and Ranjit Sagar Lake (Kathua).
He also took stock of promotional initiatives in Patnitop-Sanasar, Surinsar-Mansar, Rajouri-Poonch and the leisure circuits of Bani-Bhadarwah, Sinthan and Wadwan.
Director Tourism Jammu, Vikas Gupta, detailed the works executed and promotional efforts undertaken across various circuits.
He elaborated on the Katra-Shivkhori circuit, integrating major religious centres, including Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Shivkhori and historic sites such as Krimchi Temples, Raghunath Temple and Ranbireshwar Temple.
He said works worth Rs 3.55 crore have been completed at Shivkhori during the current year, while Detailed Project Reports amounting to Rs 44.53 crore have been prepared for infrastructure development at Katra under the PRASAD scheme.
Additionally, works worth Rs 11.50 crore have been undertaken at the Uttarbehni-Purmandal circuit to boost tourism.
Tourism department officials also presented a comprehensive overview of departmental initiatives, highlighting a multi-faceted approach focused on thematic circuits, heritage experiences, adventure tourism, infrastructure augmentation and promotion of offbeat destinations.
These efforts aim at increasing tourist footfall and encouraging longer stays by offering customised experiences aligned with diverse interests, they said.
The meeting was further apprised that a half marathon will be organised annually on the third Sunday of March, capitalising on Jammu's pleasant weather and peak tourist season.
This initiative to be started this year is going to be launched in December, aiming at establishing Jammu as an independent and holistic tourist destination offering world-class facilities and diverse experiences to its visitors, the officials said.
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
