Reviews works plan under Capex of Estates, Revenue, Tourism & Culture Deptts
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said discussions are being held with the Centre on the resumption of development projects in the Union territory that were halted due to the Indus Water Treaty.
With the treaty in abeyance in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Abdullah said there are two projects — one in Kashmir and the other in Jammu — on which work can begin soon.
“After the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, we have two projects on which work can start soon, one is in Kashmir and the other is in Jammu. Now, talks are going on with the central government regarding both the projects,” Abdullah said here when asked whether the government will take advantage of the IWT being in abeyance.
The chief minister was talking to reporters after a meeting with Union Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at the SKICC here.
Last month, Abdullah batted for the revival of the Tulbul navigation project on Wular Lake in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Taking to X, the chief minister wondered if work would be resumed now that India has put the IWT in abeyance.
Abdullah’s post, however, got mired in a controversy after his rival and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti accused him of making “irresponsible” and “dangerously provocative” statements.
The work on the Tulbul Navigation Barrage was started in the early 1980s, but had to be abandoned under pressure from Pakistan, citing the Indus Water Treaty (IWT).
At the review meeting, Abdullah said it was related to centrally sponsored projects and schemes under the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs — both departments that he handles.
“Overall, progress in both areas has been fairly satisfactory. We also discussed areas where we have expectations from the Centre. In some places, there were minor shortcomings, and we have received suggestions on how to correct them. We will implement those,” he said.
To a question on the Power Department facing losses, the chief minister said it is still in debt because there is a difference in the price at which the government purchases and supplies power.
“We are supplying power to everyone on a concession basis. Be it a domestic consumer or commercial consumer or industrial consumer, everyone takes power at concession rates. But it will get better gradually,” he said.
Later in the day, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) plans for the fiscal year 2025–26 across the Estates, Revenue, Tourism, and Culture departments. The meeting, held in Srinagar, was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretaries Shaleen Kabra and Dheeraj Gupta, and other senior officials from the concerned departments.
During the review, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of early approval of departmental plans, swift authorization of funds, and timely execution of development projects. He urged officials to strengthen institutional capacities and ensure effective coordination to deliver impactful results that align with public expectations.
The Estates Department reported a significant 94.93% utilization of its CAPEX allocation for 2024–25, spending ₹2,452.34 lakh out of the released ₹2,583.19 lakh. Of the 217 approved works, 182 have been completed. For 2025–26, the department has proposed a budget outlay of ₹10,000 lakh, which includes funding for ongoing works, new infrastructure for the Sempora flats, shifting of certain expenditures to CAPEX, and fresh initiatives. Notable projects such as the construction of 400 flats at Pampore and other housing developments in Sarwal, Ahata Amar Singh, and Lower Muthi are progressing steadily, with some scheduled for completion by October 2025. The department has also planned the construction of 300 new 2-BHK and 3-BHK residential units, twin towers at Canal Road in Jammu, and new blocks at the Civil Secretariats in both Jammu and Srinagar.
The Revenue Department presented its achievements and targets for the upcoming fiscal year. Out of an approved budget of ₹79 crore, ₹69 crore has already been uploaded on the BEAMS portal. The department has proposed 133 new projects, which include the construction of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) offices, Tehsil offices, Niabat buildings, and additional infrastructure. Notably, the department has made significant strides in the digitization of land records, having achieved 100% scanning, 94.36% digitization of cadastral maps, and geo-referencing of nearly 90% of villages. Moreover, 99.9% of Record of Rights have been digitized and integrated into the Land Records Information System (LRIS). Among other initiatives, the department’s “Aapki Zameen Aapki Nigrani” platform has enabled real-time land record access, generating savings of ₹19.83 crore. It now plans to further expand digitization by translating Urdu records into 22 Indian languages, and to implement dynamic, map-based land record systems.
In the Tourism Department, Commissioner Secretary Yasha Mudgal presented a comprehensive overview of current projects and upcoming priorities. The department was allocated ₹388.20 crore in 2024–25, of which ₹247.66 crore has been spent. Out of 1,551 total works, 871 have been completed, reflecting a 56% completion rate. For 2025–26, the department has planned 1,071 works with a proposed outlay of ₹191.87 crore. Several key projects announced in the state budget are already underway, including the preparation of tourism master plans, expansion of winter sports facilities, development of water sports infrastructure, and solid waste management solutions in tourist hotspots like Gulmarg. Additionally, Rs 10 crore has been set aside to accommodate high-priority works proposed by elected representatives. The department is also taking steps to revive dormant tourism assets, enhance wayside amenities, and monetize under-utilized properties. These initiatives aim to boost tourism infrastructure, improve visitor experience, and promote new destinations.
The Culture Department, meanwhile, is advancing a major restoration and modernization drive. Out of 106 heritage restoration projects, 16 have been completed, with 46 more expected by March 2026. The revival of the historic Mubarak Mandi complex in Jammu remains a key focus, with ₹30.02 crore allocated for the purpose. In Phase III of the Heritage Revival Scheme, 123 additional projects have been identified for implementation. The department is finalizing its draft Cultural Policy, while also modernizing the SPS Museum with a revised DPR of ₹19.80 crore. Efforts to revive the Tehzeeb Mahal project in Srinagar are ongoing. On the digital front, the department is upgrading its web portal to enable AI-assisted archiving of manuscripts and rare records. It has also initiated plans to preserve regional languages and literature, including the re-launch of its publication “Sheeraza” in Sheena and Bhaderwahi, after revisiting editorial appointments. Under a proposed budget of ₹132 crore for 2025–26, the department aims to expand libraries, restore temples and forts, and promote cultural programs across Jammu and Kashmir.
Summing up the review, Chief Minister Abdullah expressed satisfaction over the detailed planning and encouraged departments to translate strategies into visible outcomes. He reiterated his government’s commitment to strengthening governance, modernizing infrastructure, and ensuring inclusive, people-centric development across the Union Territory.
