Jammu, Feb. 3 -- Describing tourism as mainstay of the J&K's economy, lieutenant governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Monday said that despite security related incidents and natural calamities, the UT witnessed a footfall of 1.78 crore tourists in 2025. He was addressing legislators of the J&K legislative assembly here on the opening day of the 27-day-long Budget Session, spread over a three-month period with double sittings.

Chief minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the finance portfolio, is scheduled to present the UT's budget on February 6. The LG referenced security incidents and natural calamities, including the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor and last year's floods.

Much to the glee of the National Conference, the LG also informed t...