SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government is implementing more than 570 sports and youth infrastructure projects worth over Rs 650 crore across the Union Territory during the current financial year, in what officials described as one of the largest sports infrastructure expansion programmes undertaken by the Department of Youth Services and Sports.
The progress of the ambitious programme was reviewed on Tuesday by Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, during the department’s first quarterly review meeting on the implementation roadmap launched earlier this year.
The meeting was attended by Director General Youth Services and Sports, Special Secretary YSS, Secretary of the J&K Sports Council, senior officers of the administrative department, engineering agencies, district youth services and sports officers from all 20 districts, and officials of the Sports Council.
The review covered capital expenditure projects, Special Assistance to Capital Investment (SASCI), Centrally Sponsored Schemes including the Khelo India Mission, revenue expenditure, budget announcements and district-wise implementation of sports infrastructure projects.
Dr Choudhary said the department’s infrastructure expansion strategy is aligned with the vision of the Khelo Bharat Niti, with a focus on creating an equitable, accessible and future-ready sports ecosystem across Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the current phase marks a shift from isolated infrastructure projects to a planned and data-driven expansion covering urban areas, rural regions, border districts, tribal belts and remote mountainous areas. The objective, he said, is to ensure that every young person has access to quality sports facilities while also creating centres capable of producing national and international-level athletes.
According to the review, the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports is implementing 315 CapEx projects during 2026-27, including 167 ongoing works, 140 new projects and eight non-construction initiatives, besides projects under SASCI and other flagship programmes.
The J&K Sports Council is executing another 263 infrastructure projects, including 195 ongoing works, 57 new projects and 11 SASCI Disaster Component projects, taking the total number of projects under implementation across the Union Territory to over 570.
A district-wise review of major projects was also conducted. Among the key initiatives reviewed was the development of Khel Gaon, Nagrota, which is being developed as a flagship multi-sport hub featuring a Lawn Tennis Academy, a new Directorate headquarters, a Strength and Conditioning Centre, a Youth Hostel and upgraded cricket facilities.
The meeting also assessed progress on the construction of Khel Bhawans and integrated residential sports facilities in Rajouri, Ramban, Samba, Srinagar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Poonch, Jammu and Nagrota. Other major projects include two Border Sports Academies, the proposed Centre for Mountaineering and Skiing at Sanasar, youth hostels at Nagrota, Wazir Bagh and the Government College of Physical Education in Ganderbal, besides multipurpose indoor halls, mini stadiums, sports academies and playfield development works across districts.
The Sports Council’s ongoing projects include synthetic football and hockey turfs at Bandhurakh, Jagti, Gassu Hazratbal, Azad Gunj Baramulla and Draggad Shopian, Olympic-standard swimming facilities at Gindun Rajbagh, athletic tracks at Khour, Mendhar and Tulibal, sports stadiums at Sogam, Birpur, Panthan Thathri, Rehal Bishnah, Budgam and Bhalwal, water sports facilities at Manasbal, a sports complex at Nilandrus, cricket academies in Srinagar, Jammu, Udhampur and Anantnag, as well as gymnastics, archery, shooting and high-performance taekwondo centres.
Officials informed the meeting that 108 playfields are being developed this year under the Playfield Development Programme at an estimated cost of over ₹39 crore. In addition, 118 other sports infrastructure projects, including indoor stadiums, multipurpose halls, youth hostels, volleyball and badminton courts, pickleball courts, cricket practice facilities and sports office buildings, are also under execution.
The review also examined implementation of the Khelo India Mission, including the establishment of Khelo India Centres, procurement of sports equipment, strengthening of centres of excellence, cricket academies and athlete support infrastructure. Dr Choudhary directed that these initiatives should complement the expanding physical infrastructure to create a complete sporting ecosystem.
In a major policy initiative, the Commissioner Secretary reviewed the creation of the department’s first comprehensive geo-spatial inventory of sports infrastructure through geo-tagging of all stadiums, playfields, indoor halls, youth hostels, academies, sports complexes and other assets under the Directorate and the Sports Council.
The proposed GIS-based platform, officials said, will facilitate scientific planning, maintenance, utilisation assessment and identification of infrastructure-deficit areas for future investment.
Dr Choudhary also directed preparation of district-wise infrastructure gap analyses based on population, accessibility, sporting potential and regional requirements, with special emphasis on border areas, tribal regions, remote habitations, hilly districts and emerging urban settlements.
Calling for timely completion of all projects, he instructed executing agencies to expedite DPR preparation, statutory approvals, tendering and construction while maintaining engineering quality, transparency and financial discipline. He also stressed digital project monitoring, regular field inspections and outcome-based reviews.
Describing sports infrastructure as an investment in the aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth, Dr Choudhary said the department’s vision extends beyond constructing physical facilities to creating community spaces that promote sports participation, identify talent at the grassroots and help young athletes compete at national and international levels.
He expressed confidence that the ongoing infrastructure expansion, supported by the Khelo India Mission and the Khelo Bharat Niti, would help transform Jammu and Kashmir into a leading sporting destination while creating long-term opportunities for young people across the Union Territory.
