SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has allocated more than Rs 1,728 crore under various capital expenditure heads for sports infrastructure across the Union Territory during 2024-25 and 2025-26, with expenditure crossing Rs 1,117 crore, according to a reply tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
The figures were provided by the Youth Services and Sports Department in response to an unstarred question by MLA Shakti Raj Parihar.
According to the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports data, Rs 526.16 lakh was allocated under UT Capex for Jammu division in 2024-25, against which Rs 348.51 lakh was utilised. The allocation rose to Rs 732.37 lakh in 2025-26, with Rs 511.46 lakh spent.
In Kashmir division, the department allocated Rs 579.24 lakh under UT Capex in 2024-25 and utilised Rs 467.65 lakh. For 2025-26, the allocation stood at Rs 1,056.02 lakh, of which Rs 603.35 lakh had been utilised.
The figures show significant variation among districts. In 2025-26, Baramulla had an allocation of Rs 180.26 lakh under the Directorate’s UT Capex component and the entire amount was shown as utilised. Srinagar was allocated Rs 119 lakh and utilised Rs 92.90 lakh, while Anantnag had an allocation of Rs 130.38 lakh and expenditure of Rs 90 lakh.
In Jammu division, Ramban received Rs 116.33 lakh under the same component in 2025-26, with Rs 105.71 lakh utilised. Jammu district had an allocation of Rs 233.36 lakh and expenditure of Rs 154.30 lakh, while Poonch was allocated Rs 64.25 lakh and utilised Rs 48.61 lakh.
Under District Capex, the department’s data shows Rs 167.20 lakh allocated in 2024-25 across Jammu division districts, of which Rs 123.73 lakh was utilised. In 2025-26, the allocation was Rs 136.32 lakh, with Rs 112.31 lakh spent.
The Sports Council’s separate UT Capex data for 2024-25 shows Rs 4,351.28 lakh sanctioned across Kashmir division, with Rs 3,282.12 lakh released and Rs 2,536.04 lakh spent. In Jammu division, Rs 3,282.30 lakh was sanctioned, Rs 2,660.34 lakh released and Rs 800.69 lakh spent.
The reply also provided details of projects being executed through the J&K Sports Council in Doda, including an indoor stadium at Higher Secondary School Bhaderwah, a sports stadium at Panthan Thathri, a playfield at Tehsil Headquarters Chiralla and sports facilities at Doda, Sartingal, Joura and Kastigarh.
The indoor stadium at Higher Secondary School Bhaderwah has an allotted cost of Rs 358 lakh, against which Rs 103.82 lakh has been spent. The Panthan Thathri sports stadium has an allotted cost of Rs 227.76 lakh, with expenditure of Rs 84.99 lakh.
A sports stadium near Government High School Joura in Zone Bhatyas has an allotted cost of Rs 352 lakh, but no expenditure was recorded. Similarly, no expenditure was recorded against the Rs 42 lakh project for stainless-steel railing and allied works at Indoor Hall Doda, the Rs 66.84 lakh playfield at Kastigarh and the Rs 500 lakh balance work of the Bhaderwah indoor stadium.
The government said women and girls’ participation in sports was being encouraged across rural and remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir through infrastructure development, competitions, coaching and talent identification. It said indoor facilities were also being used to provide accessible sporting spaces, particularly where weather and geographical conditions limit outdoor activities.
As part of the 2025-26 annual sports calendar, 48,912 girls from Doda, 25,642 from Kishtwar and 18,220 from Ramban participated in activities ranging from school to UT level. The department also organised volleyball, kabaddi, kho-kho, athletics, taekwondo and wrestling events in rural areas under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme.
On the possibility of promoting indoor Olympic sports in Doda, the government said there was no specific plan at present. It, however, said the existing indoor stadium at Bhaderwah and indoor hall at Doda could support coaching, competitions and talent identification in suitable indoor Olympic disciplines.
Any such events, it said, would depend on the availability of infrastructure, technical personnel and funds, besides approval from the competent authority.
