By Maleeha Sofi
SRINAGAR: Industrial plot allotments in Sopore Seer, Jagir, and Tulibal in Baramulla district, covering a substantial 428 kanals of land, have been stalled by government authorities. Despite payment by prospective investors for setting up industrial estates, the government recently announced that portions of the land are “not fit for industrial use.”
President of Industrial Estate Sopore, Javeed Bhat said that an advertisement was made three years ago in which the LG-led government wanted to establish an industrial estate everywhere to involve youth. Rupees 10,000 were booking charge for the unit. “Around two crore rupees were paid by local youth to secure land in the upcoming industrial estate,” he claimed.
Upon screening of all the applicants, 70 applications were accepted and assured that they will get the land in the area. The proportion of allotted land varied across the investors from half kanal to ten kanals. Bhat says that the land was sold at the cost of three lakh per kanal. “Around 33 people have done the lease deal to seal the land,” he said. Rest of the selected people were yet to pay when the stay order surfaced.
The stay was claimed by villagers as the land is for grazing. The case is being challenged in the court of law. Initial surveys had deemed the entire 428 kanals feasible for development, with 342 kanals earmarked as “worth use.” However, subsequent assessments have declared that 86 kanals currently fall under essential utilities, which includes infrastructure like roads and water supply systems, leaving 342 kanals clear for industrial purposes.
Of the 342 kanals suitable for development, 320 kanals were previously allotted to investors who have already paid for their plots. However, this revised assessment indicates that 22 kanals are still available, yet the government is reluctant to release them for industrial use, citing potential unsuitability for industrial activity due to emerging land concerns.
The decision has sparked frustration among investors, who argue that they had proceeded in good faith based on earlier government assurances. “We paid the necessary fees to secure these plots for establishing industrial units, but now we are told the land is unsuitable,” one investor stated.
Government officials, while acknowledging the delay, have defended their decision, claiming it is intended to ensure safe and sustainable industrial development. A spokesperson added, “We want to prevent any future issues by confirming the suitability of the land before allowing industrial activities that might be impacted by unforeseen environmental or structural challenges.”
Javed Bhat urged the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy CM Surinder Kumar Choudhary – who also is Minister for Public Works (R&B), Industries and Commerce, Mining, Labour and Employment and Skill Development- to intervene and pace up the case in the court.
