Omar Abdullah Stresses Peace Vital For Tourism And Sports Growth In J-K

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasised on Sunday that sustained peace is fundamental to the region's development, particularly for the tourism and sports sectors to thrive. Speaking to reporters after launching the jersey for Real Kashmir Football Club, Abdullah underscored the need for stability to attract visitors and athletes. "For development, tourism, or sports... we need peace for everything," he said, adding that evening matches would be impractical without a secure environment.

Abdullah's remarks echoed those of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who on Saturday described peace as a prerequisite for progress in the Union Territory while noting lingering remnants of terrorism. However, the chief minister clarified that establishing peace falls outside his government's purview, as law and order remain under central control.

"The responsibility of establishing peace does not fall with me... those who are responsible should fulfil their responsibility," he asserted, expressing frustration that his administration is often blamed for security lapses despite lacking authority.

Shifting focus to sports development, Abdullah highlighted his government's initiatives to upgrade infrastructure across constituencies, tailored to local youth interests. "There is hardly any assembly segment where some sports infrastructure is not being built," he noted, with plans to hand over facilities for community use.

Ongoing tournaments at district and sub-district levels, including the second Kashmir Marathon on November 2, aim to engage young people. Abdullah extended an invitation to national athletes, especially for the half-marathon, urging participation in Srinagar.

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On infrastructure challenges, the chief minister addressed delays in repairing a 300-meter stretch of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway damaged by recent landslides and heavy rains. Blacktopping efforts are postponed, but he assured us no vehicles are currently stranded, with normal traffic expected to resume soon.

As Jammu and Kashmir navigates post-2019 administrative changes, Abdullah's push for peace and investment underscores efforts to revive key economic drivers like tourism, which saw record arrivals last year amid improving security.

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