SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet on Thursday approved a range of development projects aimed at strengthening infrastructure, public services and institutional capacity across the Union Territory.
The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his official residence in Jammu, lasted about an hour and focused on accelerating development, improving service delivery and ensuring balanced growth, officials said.
Among the key decisions, the Cabinet cleared two sewerage and drainage projects—Rs 44 crore for Kathua and Rs 24 crore for Pampore. To be executed by the Housing and Urban Development Department, the projects will improve sanitation by connecting household wastewater to sewage treatment plants. The Kathua project will be extended up to Lakhanpur, while the Pampore project will cover the entire town.
The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a grid station at Hajin in Bandipora district to strengthen power supply in the region.
In addition, proposals for two bridges were cleared, including the Rs 144.36 crore Rajbagh flyover in Srinagar to ease traffic congestion between Sangarmal complex and Rajbagh Police Station. A bridge at Gujhama in Ganderbal district was also approved to improve connectivity.
To enhance institutional capacity, around 60 posts were sanctioned for Bone and Joint Hospitals to improve patient care, while nearly 60 posts were approved for the judiciary to strengthen court functioning and access to justice.
The Cabinet further approved the Appropriation Bills for 2025–26 and 2026–27, which will be introduced in the Legislative Assembly. These relate to additional fund withdrawals for the current fiscal and allocations for the next financial year.
Officials said other proposals, including a Memorandum of Understanding under Jal Jeevan Mission Phase-II, may be taken up in future meetings.
All decisions are subject to approval by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
