‘Vacancies in many Deptts remain a concern’
Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Feb 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today urged students and residents of Jammu and Kashmir currently in Iran to return home without delay, warning them not to take the government’s advisory lightly as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
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Speaking to reporters in Ganderbal, Omar said commercial flights were still operating and advised people to book tickets and return. “Today the situation in Iran is stable and commercial flights are working. My request to all students and people working there is not to take this advisory lightly. Book your tickets and return. If the situation remains alright, they can go back,” he said.
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He stressed that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had not issued the advisory without reason. “The MEA has not issued this advisory unreasonably. If the situation worsens tomorrow, it will be difficult for us to evacuate them. They should take this advisory seriously and leave Iran,” he added.
The Indian Embassy in Iran on Monday issued an urgent advisory asking all Indian nationals, including students, pilgrims, businesspersons and tourists, to leave the country by available means of transport, including commercial flights, amid growing tensions between Tehran and Washington and fears of a wider conflict in the region.
On issue of alleged harassment of Kashmiri students at CT University in Punjab, the Chief Minister said he would speak to the Punjab chief minister. “This seems to be an issue of the university. The Punjab government has always supported Jammu and Kashmir. I am sure the government would not permit such incidents. If Kashmiri students are facing difficulties anywhere, it will be corrected,” he said.
Regarding the development scenario of Ganderbal, Omar said projects worth at least Rs. 80 crore have been approved or are set for foundation in Ganderbal. These include installation of a CT scan facility at Ganderbal hospital, several water supply schemes, an important drainage project and a bypass road to ease traffic congestion at Beehama Chowk. He said work on the road widening project has been expedited and the government has directed authorities to complete it within this year instead of the proposed one-year timeline.
The Chief Minister also said vacancies in revenue, health and education departments remain a concern across Jammu and Kashmir, not just Ganderbal, and that the government is working to address them. “At some places we are forced to give additional charges,” he said.
Earlier, Omar inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of major development projects worth Rs 84.41 crore in Ganderbal Constituency, marking a significant stride towards strengthening infrastructure, healthcare, water supply, sanitation, education and road connectivity across the district.
The projects, spanning multiple departments, were inaugurated and e-launched at different locations, underscoring the Government’s commitment to balanced and inclusive development.
At Beehama, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the Rs 770 lakh Beautification & Development Project of Ganderbal Town under the Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UD-ULB), to be executed by PWD. The project envisages construction of a grand entry gate and a municipal guest house, upgradation of the MC Terminal building into a Smart Library, development of playing areas and club facilities, and comprehensive improvement of streets and pathways through cobble stone and tiling works. It also includes installation of street lights and garbage bins, along with façade improvements, murals and colour-coding of the market to enhance the town’s aesthetic appeal.
He laid the foundation stone for the Rs 750.78 lakh road project connecting Bus Adda to District Hospital, including widening of Mirani Chowk, aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity.
Similarly, at District Hospital Ganderbal, the Chief Minister inaugurated a CT Scan Machine installed at a cost of Rs 840 lakh under the Health & Medical Education Department through DHSK, significantly augmenting diagnostic facilities for patients.
Likewise, at Rakhi Harran, he laid the foundation stone for a 4.5 MLD capacity Sewage Treatment Plant under the Used Water Management Project of Municipal Council Ganderbal (SBM 2.0), costing Rs 1,999.20 lakh under H&UD (UEED). The plant is expected to substantially improve sanitation standards and environmental sustainability in the town.
From Dak Bungalow, Ganderbal, the Chief Minister, who represents Ganderbal Constituency, e-inaugurated several key projects. These included the Water Supply Scheme (WSS) at Urpash Naderbagh, constructed at a cost of Rs 679.14 lakh, WSS Buderkund at Rs 399 lakh, and WSS Manasbal at Rs 130 lakh, all executed by the Rural Water Supply Division, Ganderbal under the Jal Shakti Department and Jal Jeevan Mission.
He also laid e-foundation of works of various roads in the Ganderbal constituency costing Rs 1,288.40 lakh under PWD, and improvement of various infrastructure in schools in the district at a cost of Rs 902.69 lakh under the School Education Department.
The Chief Minister further laid e-foundation stones for upgradation of inner link roads of Treesa Safapora, including link roads at Check Yangaroo in Lar, Ganderbal, at a cost of Rs 302.11 lakh, as well as improvement and upgradation of Kohistan Colony Canal Roads along with allied works amounting to Rs 379.62 lakh, both under PWD.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister reiterated that development must translate into tangible improvements in the daily lives of people.
“From healthcare and sanitation to roads, schools and drinking water, these projects reflect our resolve to ensure comprehensive development of Ganderbal. Our focus is not merely on announcements but on timely execution and quality outcomes,” he said.
He emphasized that investments in urban beautification, clean water supply, modern healthcare infrastructure and road connectivity would not only strengthen public services but also create economic opportunities and raise the overall quality of life.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also distributed Mission Yuva disbursal letters worth Rs 55 lakh among beneficiaries.
Later, the Chief Minister held a public interaction at the Dak Bungalow Ganderbal, where he listened to the demands and grievances of people from various areas of the district. Delegations from Phekh, Safapora, Manigam, Batwina, Nunar, Wakura, Lar, Sherpathri, Yangoora, the Traders Federation Ganderbal, the Health Employees Confederation Ganderbal and other groups apprised him of issues relating to drinking water supply, lift irrigation, upgradation of sports infrastructure, establishment of a fire service station, and improvement of schools, among other demands.
Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Jatin Kishore, Director Urban Local Bodies Kashmir Qazi Sarwar, Senior Superintendent of Police Ganderbal Khalil Poswal and other concerned officers accompanied the Chief Minister during the tour. Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmed Rana participated in the foundation laying ceremony through virtual mode.
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