exodus-of-tourists-from-valley-heartbreaking-cm-omar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has described the mass exodus of tourists from the Valley following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead as “heartbreaking”.

 

In a post on X, Abdullah acknowledged the panic among holidaymakers but assured that measures are being taken to facilitate their safe return.

 

“It’s heartbreaking to see the exodus of our guests from the valley after yesterday’s tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, but at the same time, we totally understand why people would want to leave,” he wrote on Wednesday.

 

It’s heartbreaking to see the exodus of our guests from the valley after yesterday’s tragic terror attack in Pahalgam but at the same time we totally understand why people would want to leave. While DGCA & the Ministry of Civil Aviation are working to organise extra flights,… pic.twitter.com/5O3i5U1rBh

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 23, 2025

 

Following Tuesday’s attack at Baisaran meadow — often dubbed ‘mini Switzerland’ — thousands of tourists were seen making their way back from the region. The administration, under Abdullah’s directions, has reopened National Highway 44 (NH-44) between Srinagar and Jammu for one-way traffic to aid the movement of tourist vehicles.

 

The Chief Minister said, “While DGCA and the Ministry of Civil Aviation are working to organise extra flights, NH-44 between Srinagar and Jammu has been reconnected for traffic in a single direction.”

 

He added that the process must remain controlled and systematic, noting the road remains unstable in several stretches.

 

“It will not be possible for the government to permit completely free movement of vehicles at the moment,” he said, urging public cooperation.

 

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), along with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is coordinating the evacuation of stranded tourists. Two special flights have been arranged to repatriate the mortal remains of the victims.

 

The DGCA has also issued an advisory to all airlines, urging them to scale up operations from Srinagar and ensure smooth connectivity to other Indian cities.

 

“The airlines are advised to take swift action to increase the number of flights in response to heightened demand and also to ensure uninterrupted connectivity from Srinagar to various destinations across India, facilitating evacuation of stranded tourists,” the advisory said.

 

Additionally, the Civil Aviation Ministry has instructed airlines not to hike fares on flights to and from Srinagar during this period to ensure that passengers are not subjected to undue hardship.