Omar assured that the government would respect the wishes of the people in the area.
Srinagar, Jan 2: Stressing the importance of aligning development projects with the concerns of local residents, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the government is open to relocating the proposed National Institute of Technology (NIT) to another district if the people of Pulwama collectively oppose its establishment.
“Development has to go hand in hand with the concerns that people have. Whatever routes are selected for roads and railways, efforts should be made to use only non-productive lands,” Omar said during a press interaction in Srinagar.
The Chief Minister revealed that a delegation from Pulwama had approached him earlier to express concerns over land acquisition for the project.
“The delegation told me that their almond orchards are spread across the land being acquired for the proposed NIT,” he said.
Omar assured that the government would respect the wishes of the people in the area.
“If people there don’t want an NIT, we will shift it somewhere else where it is welcomed. If the people in Pulwama and Pampore collectively oppose the NIT, we will find an alternate place,” he added.
Highlighting the willingness of other regions to host the project, Omar said: “There are other districts that will welcome the NIT with open arms. Not everyone is opposed to development here. If we can locate a Central University and AIIMS, why not an NIT?”
Without naming individuals, Omar disclosed that an MLA from an opposition party had contacted him to offer land for the institution.
“An MLA of a party not associated with the government called me and said they will provide land for the NIT,” he revealed.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has initiated the transfer of 4,834 kanals and 19 marlas of state land in Newa, Pulwama, for establishing a new campus of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in south Kashmir.
However, residents of the area have urged the government to reconsider the decision, citing concerns that the proposed land acquisition will displace apple and almond orchards, which are vital to their livelihoods.
MLA Pulwama and PDP youth leader, Waheed Ur Rehman Para has urged the PM Modi not to use the land and instead shift the campus to Tral.
“Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji Newa Pulwama’s Kherwa land, a vital almond-producing area sustaining thousands of livelihoods, must not be used for the proposed NIT. We urge its relocation to Shal Dramun, Chetergam, Tral—6,000 kanals near a scenic hill, better suited for the project,” Waheed Para said in a post on ‘X’.
Earlier, MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Para took to X and wrote :“Pulwama welcomes the establishment of an NIT, but seizing 5000 kanals of land is unacceptable. Without fair compensation and guaranteed jobs for locals, this project will face strong resistance.”
