SRINAGAR: The Ministry of Defence has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Today, presided over the MoU signing ceremony between Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs through Govt of UT of J&K for transfer of 139.04 acres of Defence land at Tattoo ground to MHA for the promotion of tourism & other developmental activities in the UT. pic.twitter.com/BUPKeuLlZW
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) July 31, 2023
The MoU facilitates the transfer of 139.04 acres of Defence land located at Tattoo ground to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The purpose behind this transfer is to promote tourism and undertake various developmental activities in the region.
The MoU signing ceremony took place at Raj Bhawan and was presided over by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Representing the Ministry of Defence were the Local Military Authority of Tattoo Ground Garrison and the Defence Estate Officer Kashmir Circle Srinagar. Within the next 120 days, the Ministry of Defence will hand over the designated land to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his enthusiasm for the occasion, considering it a momentous step in the development of major tourism space in Jammu and Kashmir. He pledged to make sincere and dedicated efforts to fulfil all the conditions of the MoU, ensuring that Tattoo ground becomes one of the most attractive destinations for tourists visiting the Kashmir valley.
During the event, Lt Governor Sinha also discussed the ‘Mera Mati Mera Desh’ campaign with senior Army officers, focusing on honouring the martyrs and preparations for Independence Day events.
It is pertinent to mention that back in 2015, the government had taken over 76 kanals of land from the army at Tattoo Ground in the Batamaloo area for the purpose of establishing a Citizen Park. However, despite eight years passing since then, the park has not materialised.
The Citizens’ Park was one of the pet projects of former chief minister, late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed who had laid its foundation in 2015 after persuading the army to vacate 136 kanals, of which 76 kanals had been handed over to the state government.
