Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that 221 out of 355 Gram Panchayats covered under the One Panchayat-One Playfield initiative have either existing or newly constructed playfields.
Replying to a question by MLA G A Mir during Question Hour, Minister for Youth Services and Sports Satish Sharma said the information was based on data received from the Rural Development Department.
The minister said 37 of the 66 Gram Panchayats in Dooru constituency have playfields under the initiative.
He informed the House that the Youth Services and Sports Department had taken up two playfield projects in Dooru during the past three years. The playfield at Larkipora near ADV Road Bathuno, taken up during 2024-25 at a cost of Rs 48.55 lakh, has achieved around 90 per cent completion, while another playfield at Shangren has been sanctioned during 2026-27 at an estimated cost of Rs 80 lakh.
Sharma said 26 playfield sites have been approved under the Annual Action Plan (AAP) 2026-27 in Anantnag district under the Rural Development Department after suitable government land was identified by the Revenue Department.
He added that development of playfields by the Youth Services and Sports Department is undertaken only after ensuring availability of encumbrance-free land, land transfer formalities and funding.
The minister told the House that sports infrastructure in Dooru constituency was being strengthened through the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council and the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports.
He said the Sports Stadium Dooru is equipped with facilities including a pavilion-cum-changing room, cricket competition pitch, net practice pitch, chain-link fencing, main gate and dugouts.
The playfield at Verinag is also being developed with similar facilities, including a pavilion, cricket pitches, fencing, dugouts and a mechanical roller, he said.
According to the minister, the playfield at Qammar Shahbaad in Verinag block is being maintained by the J&K Sports Council, while development works are underway at the Bhahi Bachoo Hiller playfield, including construction of a cricket pitch, practice nets and chain-link fencing.
Sharma further informed the Assembly that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth Rs 1,035.98 lakh has been prepared for the upgradation of Sports Stadium Dooru and is currently under consideration by the department.
The proposed upgrade includes construction of a pavilion building with changing rooms, covered seating tiers, cricket competition and practice pitches, dugouts, a synthetic volleyball court, floodlights and other infrastructure, he said.
The minister also said proposals for development of playfields at Sayen-Sagam, Sadiwara, Chowgund, Qammar, Dudwangan, Akingam, Hiller Kokernag and other locations were under consideration.
He informed the House that land-transfer processes were being pursued with the Revenue Department, while the transfer process in the cases of Sadiwara and Hiller Kokernag was yet to begin.
Sharma said the department would consider development works at these locations after completion of land-transfer formalities and subject to availability of funds and feasibility.
He added that a DPR worth Rs 1.5 crore has been prepared for development of the Sayen-Sagam playfield, proposing ground expansion, protection works, seating tiers, cricket pitches, practice nets and a synthetic volleyball court.
