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| CTTIK submits memorandum to CM Omar Abdullah on Katra concerns | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 28: The Chamber of Tourism Trade and Industry Katra (CTTIK) led by its president Raj Kumar Padha and Secretary Atul Sharma today submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting the key concerns of Katra to Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah on the sidelines of the prebudget 2026-27 meeting convened by the Chief Minister.
During the interaction the CTTIK leadership emphasized the urgent need to revisit the J&K Civic Laws 2014 as a large number of commercial and business establishments in Katra have recently received Section 7(3) notices from the Municipal Committee Katra and the Katra Development Authority causing widespread anxiety and stress among the business community. It was recalled that in 2014 Sh. Omar Abdullah-led Government had intervened to protect local businesse and a similar empathetic and corrective approach is once again required to safeguard livelihoods in this vital pilgrimage town.
The memorandum also urged the Government to consider the development of a well-planned residential colony , stating that the absence of organized residential infrastructure is adversely impacting the social and economic well-being of the local business community. Another major demand raised was the development of an airstrip near Katra under the UDAN Scheme which would significantly improve last-mile connectivity attract high-value tourist and further strengthen pilgrimage and leisure tourism.
CTTIK further requested that a comprehensive Tourism Policy be rolled out at the earliest to ensure ease of doing business and provide a stable, investor-friendly framework for the sector. In view of the recent MoU signed between the J&K Government and the Inland Waterways Authority of India the Chamber also sought the formulation of a cruise tourism policy that prioritizes local entrepreneurs enabling them to actively participate in upcoming tourism opportunities.
Additional suggestions made in the memorandum included enhanced budgetary allocation for modernization and upgradation of tourism infrastructure at key destinations such as Jammu, Katra, Patnitop, Sanasar, Bhaderwah, Mansar, Surinsar, and Shivkhori along with the preparation of a year-long tourism promotion calendar to ensure sustained national and international visibility. The Chamber also called for allocation of funds for startup incentives in tourism, hospitality, transport and travel services, and event and experiential tourism, along with the introduction of a single-window clearance system with time-bound approvals for tourism and MSME units.
The memorandum further recommended the introduction of tax holidays and low-interest credit facilities for tourism-based startups and new ventures, extension of MSME benefits to tourism and hospitality enterprises including lower power tariffs, GST reimbursement schemes, and simplified compliance mechanisms, as well as special incentives for projects adopting sustainable, green, and technology-driven models. |
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