Srinagar, Oct 31 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday denied diverting funds meant for Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara in North Kashmir frontier Kupwara district.
In response to a query by a legislator in the Assembly, Minister Incharge, per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, the project had been delayed after flash floods in April 2024 submerged the original construction site at Maidan Chougal, forcing suspension of work.
The Minister informed that the deadline for completion has been extended to March 2026 and that no portion of the funds sanctioned for GMC Handwara has been diverted to any other medical college.
It said resumption of work is subject to final clearances from the Public Works Department and the Science and Technology Department, along with the release of an additional Rs 70 crore to cover restoration and relocation costs.
The minister added that Rs 1.64 crore has been approved for infrastructure strengthening and equipment at the Associated Hospital Langate, where OPD, Ophthalmology and Paediatrics services are already functional—(KNO)