Naya Kashmir Report
SRINAGAR: In the wake of the deadly militant attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmiri tourism is facing worst time as once-bustling dry fruit and saffron market along the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pampore, Lethapora, Bejbehara, Qazi Gund, wear deserted look, with traders reporting an almost complete collapse in sales.
The April 22 attack in the Baisaran Meadow of Pahalgam, left 26 tourists and a local pony owner dead, triggering widespread panic and large-scale cancellations across Kashmir’s tourism industry.
Markets on Jammu Srinagar Highway particularly, on Pampore, Lethapora, Bejbehara, Qazi Gund known for dry fruit outlets and saffron stalls, has been among the hardest hit.
“Before the attack, more than 100 tourist vehicles used to stop here every day,” said Umer, an employee at Kesar Cottage, a prominent dry fruit shop in the area. “Now, it’s as if the market has died. For two months, not a single tourist showed up. Our daily sales, which used to clear by evening, have dropped to just 10 per cent.”
Tourism is the lifeline of the region’s economy. From hotel owners and tour operators to shopkeepers and drivers, thousands depend on seasonal tourist footfall. The sudden decline in visitors, estimated at nearly 80 per cent, has devastated the livelihoods of local traders.
Lethapora, located on the route between Srinagar and south Kashmir tourist destinations, had become a key stopover for travellers. Traders say the charm and energy of the marketplace, once open late into the evening, has vanished.
“The glamour is gone. Shops shut early now. Without tourists, this place feels lifeless,” said Umer. He fears the worst if the situation does not improve. “We may have to shut down completely. This is not just a business, it’s our identity.”Travel packages to Jammu and Kashmir
Several traders’ associations have appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir administration for compensation and enhanced security arrangements to restore tourist confidence. Locals have also stressed the urgency of state intervention to prevent long-term economic fallout.
Despite the gloom, some traders remain cautiously hopeful. “If the government supports us with security and promotion, tourism can bounce back,” said a trader who preferred not to be named. “But without tourists, we cannot recover from this loss.”
All eyes are on whether policy support and a sense of safety can bring back the crowds, and with them, the livelihoods that now hang by a thread.
