Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 25: While authorities are making efforts to promote Kashmir as a premier tourist destination, it has become increasingly expensive for travelers due to the Government’s failure to regulate rising airfares, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said today.
In a statement issued here, KCCI expressed dismay over the persistent failure of authorities to regulate airfares on the Srinagar-Jammu-Delhi routes.
“This issue not only poses a significant concern for Kashmir’s economy and tourism but also places an undue burden on the local populace, who are forced to pay exorbitant air travel prices compared to other regions,” KCCI stated.
The trade body noted that despite Government efforts to promote Kashmir as a premier tourist destination, “the current airfares make the region a costlier option for potential travelers.”
KCCI further highlighted that recent analysis reveals airfares to Kashmir often exceed the cost of flights from Delhi to Dubai, raising serious concerns about the impact on tourism, healthcare access for patients.
“The exorbitant airfares remain unjustified, especially given the current low tourist footfall,” KCCI added.
The trade body emphasized that this is not the first time it has raised the issue.
“Despite previous communications, including a formal presentation to the Parliamentary Committee last year, the situation remains unresolved,” the statement said.
While authorities often cite demand-and-supply dynamics as justification for high fares, KCCI argued, “If the demand for travel to Kashmir is genuinely high, airlines should increase the number of available flights rather than hiking prices.”
The KCCI pointed out that concerns over unwarranted fare hikes have been previously acknowledged by the Department-related Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture, Government of India.
“Unfortunately, it seems airline operators on the Delhi-Jammu-Srinagar route have disregarded the committee’s clear recommendations, leading to irrational fare increases that amount to undue profiteering and hinder tourist movement.”
The Chamber also urged airlines operating on the Delhi-Jammu-Srinagar route to increase flight availability to meet the growing demand for travel to Srinagar.
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