Srinagar, Apr 01 (KNO): The long-awaited Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara project is set for relocation after the originally identified construction site at Maidan Chogal/Chogal was found unsuitable due to recurring flood threats, the Health and Medical Education Department informed the Assembly.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, the Minister for Health and Medical Education as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the initial site earmarked for the college campus and hostels was submerged during floods, raising serious concerns over its viability for a major infrastructure project.
“Given the vulnerability of the site to flooding, the government has initiated the process for relocation of GMC Handwara. A proposal in this regard is being taken up with the General Administration Department to seek in-principle approval from the Council of Ministers,” the Minister stated.
A high-level committee constituted by the General Administration Department under Government Order No. 2090-JK(GAD) of 2024, and headed by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, carried out a detailed inspection of the original and alternative sites.
The committee assessed multiple locations, including: Chogul Maidan: Approximately 183 kanals and 17 marlas under the Horticulture Department, currently housing a high-density orchard and related assets, Kulangam: Spread over 208 kanals and 14 marlas, partly transferred to Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for a Walnut Research Centre, with a portion under District Police Lines Handwara and Maidan Chogul (linear patch): Over 100 kanals of kahcharai land.
After evaluating parameters such as flood vulnerability, land stability, accessibility, and compliance with National Medical Commission (NMC) norms, the committee unanimously concluded that the existing site at Chogul Maidan is “not feasible” for establishing a prestigious institution like a medical college.
“The relocation of GMC Handwara, as per NMC norms, is the only plausible option,” the committee recommended.
Among the alternatives, the committee identified Kulangam as the most suitable site, citing its compliance with NMC requirements, better connectivity to highways, and relative safety from natural hazards such as floods and landslides.
“The Kulangam site is not susceptible to the vagaries of climate and offers advantages in terms of security and accessibility,” the report noted.
Following this, the Health and Medical Education Department approached the Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to facilitate land transfer. However, the proposal did not materialize due to unresolved issues.
Meanwhile, an alternate site at Nutrussa village has also been proposed, based on deliberations held during a meeting chaired by the Minister on March 19, 2025, with MLAs from Kupwara district.
“The feasibility of the Nutrussa site is currently being analyzed to determine its suitability and structural stability for the project,” the Minister informed.
The matter has now been placed before the Council of Ministers for in-principle approval to relocate the project.
The Minister further revealed that most prerequisite clearances from key departments—including Roads & Buildings (R&B), Public Health Engineering (PHE), Irrigation & Flood Control, Forest, Pollution Control Board, and Soil Conservation—have already been obtained. The Deputy Commissioner Kupwara has also been tasked with ensuring the availability of encumbrance-free land.
However, the Geology and Mining Department has flagged critical concerns, recommending: a comprehensive geo-technical investigation by a competent institution before any construction and a site-specific seismic hazard assessment, given the region’s classification under Seismic Zone-V (high vulnerability)
Acting on these recommendations, the Chief Engineer, R&B North Kashmir, has been requested to undertake the necessary geo-technical studies through an accredited agency.
With the fate of GMC Handwara now tied to technical feasibility and administrative approvals, the government has emphasized that no construction will proceed without rigorous scientific validation of the selected site.
The relocation, once finalized, is expected to pave the way for establishing a robust medical education and healthcare institution in north Kashmir, addressing long-standing demands of the region—(KNO)