Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday urged students from Jammu and Kashmir studying in Iran to follow the Union government’s advisory and return home while commercial travel remains operational.
It may be recalled that in its latest advisory, the Embassy of India asked its citizens to “leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights.”
The advisory comes in the wake of Saturday’s protests in Iran following 40-day memorials for people killed in January during anti-government rallies.
Abdullah asked the students not to ignore this advisory from the government of India, because, “it otherwise becomes an issue for us,” Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of an official function at Ganderbal.
The chief minister said the situation in Iran is currently stable, with airports open and commercial flights operating.
“I appeal to all the students and those who work there, not to ignore this advisory, book your tickets and leave Iran,” he said.
“The Ministry of External Affairs has not issued this advisory unnecessarily. If, God forbid, the situation worsens, then it will be an issue for us as to how to evacuate them. So, I appeal to them to take the advisory seriously and leave from there,” he added.
To a question on the alleged harassment and eviction threats faced by Kashmiri students studying at CT University in Punjab, the chief minister said he would raise the issue with his counterpart in Punjab.
“I will talk to the Punjab chief minister on this. It must be the University’s doing, because the government of Punjab has always supported Jammu and Kashmir. I can say with certainty that the Punjab government will not allow this, and the University will be asked about it,” he said, adding, if any Kashmiri student is facing such difficulties, it will be addressed.
Earlier, Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of major development projects worth ₹84.41 crore in Ganderbal constituency, marking a significant stride towards strengthening infrastructure, healthcare, water supply, sanitation, education and road connectivity across the district, an official press release informed.
It said the projects, spanning multiple departments, were inaugurated and e-launched at different locations, underscoring the Government’s commitment to balanced and inclusive development.
At Beehama, the chief minister laid the foundation stone for the ₹770 lakh Beautification & Development Project of Ganderbal Town under the Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UD–ULB), to be executed by PWD. The project envisages construction of a grand entry gate and a municipal guest house, upgradation of the MC Terminal building into a Smart Library, development of playing areas and club facilities, and comprehensive improvement of streets and pathways through cobble stone and tiling works. It also includes installation of street lights and garbage bins, along with façade improvements, murals and colour-coding of the market to enhance the town’s aesthetic appeal.
He laid the foundation stone for the ₹750.78 lakh road project connecting Bus Adda to District Hospital, including widening of Mirani Chowk, aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity.
Similarly, at District Hospital Ganderbal, the chief minister inaugurated a CT Scan Machine installed at a cost of ₹840 lakh under the Health & Medical Education Department through DHSK, significantly augmenting diagnostic facilities for patients.
Likewise, at Rakhi Harran, he laid the foundation stone for a 4.5 MLD capacity Sewage Treatment Plant under the Used Water Management Project of Municipal Council Ganderbal (SBM 2.0), costing ₹1,999.20 lakh under H&UD (UEED). The plant is expected to substantially improve sanitation standards and environmental sustainability in the town.
From Dak Bungalow, Ganderbal, the chief minister, who represents Ganderbal Constituency, e-inaugurated several key projects. These included the Water Supply Scheme (WSS) at Urpash Naderbagh, constructed at a cost of ₹679.14 lakh, WSS Buderkund at ₹399 lakh, and WSS Manasbal at ₹130 lakh, all executed by the Rural Water Supply Division, Ganderbal under the Jal Shakti Department and Jal Jeevan Mission.
He also laid e-foundation of works of various roads in the Ganderbal constituency costing ₹1,288.40 lakh under PWD, and improvement of various infrastructure in schools in the district at a cost of ₹902.69 lakh under the School Education Department.
The chief minister further laid e-foundation stones for upgradation of inner link roads of Treesa Safapora, including link roads at Check Yangaroo in Lar, Ganderbal, at a cost of ₹302.11 lakh, as well as improvement and upgradation of Kohistan Colony Canal Roads along with allied works amounting to ₹379.62 lakh, both under PWD.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister reiterated that development must translate into tangible improvements in the daily lives of people.
“From healthcare and sanitation to roads, schools and drinking water, these projects reflect our resolve to ensure comprehensive development of Ganderbal. Our focus is not merely on announcements but on timely execution and quality outcomes,” he said.
He emphasized that investments in urban beautification, clean water supply, modern healthcare infrastructure and road connectivity would not only strengthen public services but also create economic opportunities and raise the overall quality of life.
On the occasion, the chief minister also distributed Mission Yuva disbursal letters worth ₹55 lakh among beneficiaries.
Later, the chief minister held a public interaction at the Dak Bungalow Ganderbal, where he listened to the demands and grievances of people from various areas of the district. Delegations from Phekh, Safapora, Manigam, Batwina, Nunar, Wakura, Lar, Sherpathri, Yangoora, the Traders Federation Ganderbal, the Health Employees Confederation Ganderbal and other groups apprised him of issues relating to drinking water supply, lift irrigation, upgradation of sports infrastructure, establishment of a fire service station, and improvement of schools, among other demands.
Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Jatin Kishore, Director Urban Local Bodies Kashmir Qazi Sarwar, Senior Superintendent of Police Ganderbal Khalil Poswal and other concerned officers accompanied the Chief Minister during the tour. Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmed Rana participated in the foundation-laying ceremony through virtual mode.
