Committee formed to resolve GMC Handwara’s land issue

Kupwara, Dec 16: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday constituted a high-level committee to address the issue of land allocation for the relocation of the Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara and its co-located nursing college.

Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has been appointed as the chairman of the committee while as Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Engineer-in-Chief (Secretary Technical), PW (R&B) Department, Principal, Government Medical College Handwara, Director Coordination, New Government Medical Member Colleges, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chief Engineer Irrigation & Flood Control Kashmir, Chief Engineer PW (R&B) Department (North), Registrar SKUAST Kashmir, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Kupwara and Superintendent Engineer PDD/Jal Shakti have been appointed as members of the committee, according to an order issued by the General Administration Department.

The committee, as per the order, has been tasked to resolve critical issues surrounding the identification and approval of land for the project.

It has also been asked to evaluate the feasibility of new sites proposed by the Deputy Commissioner Kupwara for the construction of GMC Handwara and its nursing college and more importantly it will assess safety and environmental factors such as soil quality, terrain gradient, and flood risks, as well as ensuring the availability of utilities like water supply, road connectivity, and electricity.

As per the order, the identified land must comply with the National Medical Commission’s standards, covering a minimum area of 200 kanals, while also allowing for potential expansion.

“The Committee is responsible for securing a suitable, unencumbered site and will obtain necessary approvals and permits from relevant authorities. It has the power to add more members whenever needed to achieve the goals effectively,” reads the order.