SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that 14 developmental projects worth ₹24.62 crore are under execution in Baramulla town, with three works completed and the remaining at various stages of progress.
Replying on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to a question raised by MLA Javid Hassan Baig, School Education and Health Minister Sakeena Itoo said the projects involve a total cost of ₹24.62 crore, against which ₹4.45 crore had been spent up to March 2026.
She informed the House that ₹130.60 lakh has been released during the current financial year, of which ₹25 lakh has been utilised so far.
On the proposed multi-level parking facility near the Roads and Buildings (R&B) office in Baramulla, the minister said the project received administrative approval on October 10, 2025, but work could not begin as the land has yet to be transferred from the Public Works Department (R&B) to the Municipal Council Baramulla.
She said the site also contains poplar trees that require valuation and removal through the prescribed process, while an old structure on the land needs to be assessed and disposed of before construction can start.
According to the minister, the required formalities are being processed and departments have been directed to complete them on priority.
Regarding the construction of three entry gates in Baramulla, Itoo said administrative approval was granted on September 20, 2025. However, work at Janbazpora and Khowjabagh was affected by objections from local residents, leading to changes in the proposed locations.
At Khowjabagh, construction has started at a newly identified site, she said. In Khanpora, objections raised by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) necessitated modification of the design and relocation of the project.
The minister said work at the revised Khanpora site had progressed up to the column stage before being halted after BRO authorities informed the administration that the location could not be permitted. Alternative sites are now being identified in coordination with the concerned departments.
On the construction of a double-storey office building for the Municipal Council Baramulla, Itoo said the G+2 skeletal structure was completed in November 2024.
The project was subsequently delayed due to a High Court case involving a land dispute between the Municipal Council and a neighbouring private landowner, as well as security-related restrictions, she said.
The work remained suspended until March 2026, after which the Municipal Council submitted an affidavit agreeing to security-related conditions prescribed by military authorities, enabling construction to resume.
The minister informed the House that truss work has been completed and brickwork has reached around 80 per cent completion.
Responding to a supplementary question, Itoo acknowledged that the projects had not been completed within the originally stipulated timeframe. She attributed the delays to land-related issues, statutory clearances, court proceedings, security restrictions and inter-departmental matters that affected execution.
She said the concerned agencies have been directed to expedite pending formalities and accelerate work to ensure early completion of the projects.