WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: In its 260th report, a department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs recommended developing an integrated security and surveillance framework for all major tourist destinations in the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, incorporating comprehensive CCTV coverage, centralised monitoring facilities, regular vulnerability assessments and periodic security audits.
The third meeting (on-the-spot assessment) of the Committee was held on 13th May, 2026 at Gulmarg to review the security arrangements at major tourist destinations in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The Committee held discussions with representatives of the Administration of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and the district administration, the Tourism Department, the Gulmarg Development Authority and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
During the meeting, the Committee was briefed by the Director General of Police, Jammu & Kashmir, on the security arrangements and deployment pattern at Gulmarg and other major tourist and religious destinations in the UT. The Committee was apprised of the deployment pattern of security forces, surveillance mechanisms, crowd management strategies, tourist facilitation measures, emergency response systems, medical preparedness and the coordination framework among various security and civil agencies to ensure the safety and security of tourists.
The Chairman and Members of the Committee sought information on various aspects of security management at tourist destinations, including deployment of security personnel, emergency response protocols, crowd regulation, disaster preparedness and inter-agency coordination. The representatives of the UT Administration and the Jammu & Kashmir Police responded to the queries and informed regarding the measures being undertaken to strengthen the security framework and enhance the safety of visitors across the UT. The Committee thereafter undertook an on-the-spot assessment of the security and tourist management arrangements at Gulmarg and interacted with the concerned officials.
The Committee in its report noted that the sustained growth in tourist arrivals in the UT has been facilitated by improved connectivity, stronger security arrangements, better tourist infrastructure and a renewed sense of confidence among visitors. In this context, security management at tourist destinations assumes special importance, as it directly affects the perception of safety, the quality of visitor experience and the continued growth of the tourism sector.
In its report, the Committee appreciates the comprehensive security arrangements put in place by the Union Territory Administration and the Jammu & Kashmir Police at Gulmarg and other major tourist and religious destinations. The Committee notes with satisfaction the deployment of security personnel, surveillance mechanisms, crowd management measures and the coordination established among the Police, Tourism Department, district administration, development authorities and other concerned agencies.
The Committee, however, recommends that an integrated security and surveillance framework be developed for all major tourist destinations, incorporating comprehensive CCTV coverage, centralised monitoring facilities, regular vulnerability assessments and periodic security audits. The Committee further recommends that clear inter-agency standard operating procedures be prescribed and reviewed before every peak tourist season to ensure a coordinated and timely response to any security-related incident.
The Committee appreciates the efforts of the Administration in establishing emergency response systems and making arrangements for medical preparedness at major tourist destinations. Considering the difficult terrain, adverse weather conditions and large seasonal influx of tourists, the Committee recommends that dedicated emergency response units, adequately equipped ambulances, trauma-care facilities and clearly identified evacuation routes be made available at all high-footfall destinations. Also, emergency contact numbers and safety instructions should be prominently displayed at hotels, transport points and tourist facilities in multiple languages.
