Ministry of Tourism request assistance for safe return of tourists stranded at Pahalgam attack
New Delhi: Following Tuesday’s terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 innocent people, the Ministry of Tourism on Wednesday sent out a statement to all service providers involved in the tourism industry asking them to provide aid to stranded tourists in the Union Territory so they can return safely.
In the letter, V. Vidyavathi, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, emphasized the significance of helping travelers at this terrible time and appealed for the remission of cancellation costs for travelers.
“This follows the recent event that occurred in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. All travel agencies, tour operators, online travel aggregators (OTAs), tourist transportation companies, motels, and other lodging establishments are asked to provide travelers whatever help they can, including eliminating cancellation costs. “Thank you very much for your support,” the letter said.
Prior to the terror incident, the Jammu railway officials were helping stranded visitors return safely by working with the Government Railway Police (GRP), the Railway Protection Force (RPF), and ticket-checking employees. On Wednesday, the train 22432 from Jammu carried around 22 people.
Tourists, especially those coming from Srinagar, have benefited greatly from the assistance provided by the help desk at the Jammu train station.
About 40 tourists were placed on Train 22942 from Jammu on Wednesday morning, while about 10 tourists from Srinagar were housed on Train 12920, the Malwa Express. Additionally, thanks to the efforts of the RPF, the GRP, and the Jammu ticket-checking crew, some 35 stranded visitors were successfully accommodated aboard train 20434.
The government of Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) has announced ex-gratia payments of Rs 2 lakh for those who suffered grievous injuries and Rs 10 lakh apiece for the relatives of the victims who passed away.
“No amount of money can ever compensate for the loss of loved ones, but as a mark of support and solidarity, the J&K Government announces an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased, Rs two lakh for those seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries,” the J-K CMO stated in a post to X on Wednesday.
“Everything has been prepared for the victims to be returned to their homes in a respectful manner. The utmost medical attention is being given to the wounded,” the CMO said.
Following the Pahalgam terror assault, some visitors have chosen to shorten their stays in the Kashmir Valley, which has raised demand for Srinagar-based airline tickets. Amid rising tensions, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked airlines to expand flights to and from Srinagar.
“The airlines are also requested to consider waiving cancellation and rescheduling fees and provide all necessary assistance to tourists facing unexpected circumstances and challenges during this difficult time,” the warning said. Following the repeal of Article 370 in 2019, this has been one of the most significant acts of terrorism.