SRINAGAR: The relocation of the Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara project has ignited a political row in Kashmir, with the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and the opposition Apni Party trading accusations over the decision. Both parties have voiced concerns about the significant investments already made and the impact on the region.
The controversy began with the JKNC criticising the government for the delay in the project’s completion and questioning the suitability of the site. Senior leaders Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan and Sharief ud Din Shariq, in a joint statement, highlighted that the college was initially planned for completion by March 2025 under a central scheme. However, they noted that construction, which started in 2020, has been hampered due to the site’s vulnerability to seasonal flooding. The leaders claimed that nearly Rs 170 crore has already been spent, with little progress to show, and advocated for relocating the project within a six-kilometre radius of the GMC hospital in Handwara to meet regulatory requirements.
The Apni Party, led by Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, countered these claims by criticising the government’s decision to shift the site. Bukhari questioned the original approval process, emphasising that a thorough risk assessment should have been conducted before finalising the site. He argued that relocating the project now would not only waste taxpayers’ money but also betray the trust of local farmers who had given up their land for the project.
Bukhari urged the administration to explore measures to make the existing site viable, such as building flood barriers, raising foundations, and using modern techniques to mitigate risks. He called for accountability from officials who approved the site without proper evaluation.
The JKNC leaders, while acknowledging the financial loss, maintained that relocating the project was necessary to ensure its timely completion and operational success. They urged the government to expedite the relocation process to facilitate the commencement of academic activities without further delays.
The GMC Handwara project, inaugurated in 2021, is part of a Rs 325 crore central scheme. Its fate now hangs in the balance as political parties debate its location and the substantial resources already invested.
