Altaf Bukhari urges authorities not to shift already approved site for GMC Handwara

Srinagar, Dec 20: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday expressed deep concern over the government’s plan to shift the site for Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara from its originally approved location at Gund Chogal.

Questioning the official claims that the earlier approved site is not feasible due to its vulnerability to floods, the Apni Party President asked why the site had been approved earlier without a risk assessment. He urged the authorities to explore options to mitigate the flood risk and take measures to ensure the same site remains viable for the construction of GMC.

In his statement, Bukhari said that the relocation of the GMC site would lead to huge losses of taxpayers' money.

He said, “There is no plausible justification for relocating GMC Handwara from its originally approved site at Gund Chogal. Media reports indicate that nearly Rs 170 crore have already been spent on this 325 crore Central government project. Shifting the site now would mean wasting the money already invested.”

Questioning the claim that the approved site is prone to floods, Apni Party President said, “It is strange that the same officials who initially approved the site for GMC construction are now deeming it unfeasible due to its vulnerability to seasonal flooding. Was the site approved without a thorough risk assessment?”

“It is important to recognise that farmers willingly gave up their fertile land, hoping the GMC project would bring progress and business opportunities to the area. Now, they feel betrayed as the government announces plans to relocate the project,” he said.

Bukhari urged the administration to make corrective measures. He said, “The administration must take the following steps: First, take action against the officials who approved the site without conducting a proper risk assessment. Second, explore options to protect the approved site, which spans 251 kanals, using modern techniques such as river dredging, building a flood channel nearby, constructing perimeter walls around the site, raising the foundations of the buildings, erecting flood barriers, and other measures. These measures will help ensure the site remains viable.”

“The GMC project, inaugurated in October 2021, was supposed to be completed by March 2025. Changing the plan at this stage will result in a sheer waste of resources, money, and time,” Bukhari added.