Patna : Around 3,000 people from Bihar have cancelled their travel plans to Kashmir following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, according to local tourism authorities. Airlines are estimated to have suffered a loss of around Rs 1.25 crore as a result.
Prakash Chandra, secretary of the Bihar Tourism Association, said the incident had triggered a wave of cancellations as fears over safety grew. “After the tragic killing of 27 people in Pahalgam, residents of the capital have been rapidly altering their plans to visit Kashmir,” he said.
Airlines operating flights from Patna to Srinagar via Delhi reported the cancellation of nearly 500 tickets. Similarly, around 500 train tickets on routes from Bihar to Jammu Tawi have been cancelled, with railway officials noting a sharp fall in demand.
Flight operators including Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and SpiceJet have announced full refunds for affected passengers. Air India and Air India Express will provide refunds on cancellations made up to May 7, while IndiGo has extended the period to May 15 and SpiceJet to May 30.
Local travel agencies have also seen a steep drop in new bookings. Kumud Ranjan, manager of Mamta Doors and Travels, said, “Normally, we see a surge in bookings in May when school holidays begin. But after the attack, I have cancelled tickets for 25 people, and no new bookings are being made.”
The situation is similar for railway travel. A railway official reported that waiting lists for Patna’s Archana Express to Jammu, which previously saw high demand, have almost disappeared. “On Tuesday, the sleeper coach waiting list dropped from 280 to 18, and the third AC waiting from 137 to just 1,” the official said.
The broader impact is expected to continue into May, typically a peak season for travel to Kashmir. According to Chandra, 12 to 15 group files, each representing 2–3 travellers, were prepared by travel agencies before the attack, but many have since been cancelled.
The April 22 attack, which occurred in the Baisaran Valley area near Pahalgam, left 27 people dead, including civilians, security personnel, and local guides. It has been described as the deadliest attack in Jammu and Kashmir since the Pulwama bombing in 2019.
Officials said terrorists reportedly questioned the identities of tourists before opening fire. Among the victims were Indian security personnel, including an officer from the Intelligence Bureau, a Navy lieutenant, and an Air Force corporal.
Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a steady rise in tourist arrivals in recent years, with more than 2.35 crore visitors reported in 2024. However, this incident is expected to significantly affect tourism numbers for the coming months.
