SRINAGAR : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday unveiled a Rs 60-crore package of urban development projects for Jammu, pitching the initiatives as part of his government’s effort to modernise public infrastructure while asserting that “development should never become a casualty of political circumstances.”
The projects, spread across Jammu city, Akhnoor and Katra, include infrastructure for electric buses, a Waste-to-Wonder Park, a heritage conservation project, a revamped food street and civic facilities aimed at improving urban mobility, tourism and public amenities.
Launching and inaugurating projects worth over Rs 60 crore, Omar said his government was committed to equitable development across Jammu and Kashmir despite financial constraints.
“The government belongs to every region and every citizen. Politics may change, but development work must continue,” he said.
A major announcement was the foundation stone for a Rs 23.04-crore depot for 100 electric buses at Bhagwati Nagar under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme. The facility, to be developed by Jammu Smart City Limited, will serve as the charging and maintenance hub for the city’s upcoming electric bus fleet.
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone, through virtual mode, for the Rs 5.14-crore restoration of a flowing nallah at Tan Talab Kundarorian in Katra, a project aimed at improving sanitation, ecology and the urban landscape of the pilgrimage town.
Among the completed projects inaugurated was the Rs 11-crore Tawi Wonderland (Waste-to-Wonder Park) at Bhagwati Nagar, where sculptures and installations made from discarded materials have been developed into a recreational space. Omar described the park as a potential tourist landmark for Jammu, saying he had not anticipated its scale and quality before visiting it.
The Chief Minister also dedicated the Rs 15.74-crore Heritage Trail and Site Beautification Project to the public, saying it would help preserve Jammu’s cultural legacy while improving public spaces and pedestrian access.
Other projects inaugurated included the modernised Food Street at Bahu Fort, developed at a cost of Rs 1.65 crore, and a Rs 3.61-crore Shopping-cum-Municipal Complex at Akhnoor to strengthen civic and commercial infrastructure.
Omar said the electric bus depot would accelerate the city’s transition to cleaner public transport, while projects such as the heritage trail and riverfront initiatives were intended to make Jammu more attractive for residents and tourists alike.
He reiterated that his government would continue investing in transformative urban projects across Jammu and Kashmir, including riverfront development, irrespective of political developments.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, legislators from Jammu, senior civil administration officials and officers of Jammu Smart City Limited attended the event.
