Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir – Chief Minister Omar Abdullah returned to his home district of Ganderbal on Tuesday, kickstarting a wave of development with approvals for critical infrastructure and health projects worth Rs 80 crore. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating and laying foundation stones for several key initiatives, Abdullah emphasized his personal connection to the region.
“Ganderbal is my own area. I couldn’t visit for a few days due to the assembly session and commitments in Jammu,” he said. “Today, we’ve either inaugurated or laid the foundation for projects totaling Rs 80 crore that have been long overdue.”
Among the major approvals is a CT scan facility at Ganderbal hospital, multiple water supply schemes, a comprehensive drainage system, and a bypass road for the entire district. These projects address longstanding needs of the local population, promising improved healthcare access, reliable water supply, better sanitation, and smoother connectivity.
“Work on all these projects will begin soon, transforming the district’s landscape,” Abdullah assured.
Shifting focus to national issues, the Chief Minister addressed concerns over Kashmiri students facing challenges at Punjab University. “I’ll discuss this with the Punjab Chief Minister. Punjab has always supported Jammu and Kashmir, and I am confident they won’t tolerate any injustice,” he stated. “We’ll engage with the university administration to resolve any difficulties faced by our students.”
Reflecting on recent events, Abdullah praised the Khelo India Winter Games held in Gulmarg, calling it the ideal venue. “No place beats Gulmarg for winter sports, but changing weather patterns demand adaptive measures,” he noted.
On Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s criticisms of the BJP, Abdullah defended him robustly. “What more do you want from Rahul Gandhi? He’s consistently challenging the BJP everywhere – that’s the role of an opposition leader.”
These developments signal a renewed push for growth in Ganderbal, blending local progress with broader political engagement under Abdullah’s leadership.