Srinagar, Aug 19 (KNO): The controversy over the relocation of Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara from Chogal to Nutnusa has intensified, with civil society groups terming the move politically motivated and a waste of public money.
While the government cites flooding concerns at Chogal, locals argue that crores have already been spent at the original site and the decision undermines public trust.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), at a press conference on Tuesday, the Civil Society Forum Handwara, which includes nearly a dozen local bodies such as traders, bar association and chemists, condemned the government’s decision.
Forum representative Majid Banday said over Rs 50 crore had already been invested in infrastructure at Gund Chogal and demanded an inquiry into why NOCs were issued if the site was unsuitable.
“The money wasted should be recovered from the officers who cleared the site. This hits the credibility of those in charge, including then-DC Anshul Garg, now Divisional Commissioner,” he said.
The forum alleged that Health Minister Sakina Itoo, who recently announced the relocation, only visited Nutnusa instead of evaluating multiple sites, raising suspicions of political interference. “For the interest of a single person, the entire district of Handwara is being put at stake. This is injustice not only to the people today but also to the next generations,” the forum stated, in an apparent reference to the CM’s Advisor, who backed the new site.
They further questioned the government’s logic, arguing that if flooding was such a concern, then the safety of people living next to the Chogal site should also be considered. “With modern engineering solutions available, why can’t they ensure the infrastructure’s safety at Chogal? Why politics only?” the members asked.
The Civil Society Forum announced that it will step up protests against the decision and urged the Lieutenant Governor and the administration to reconsider. “We will not compromise on the Chogal site. Political parties must not snatch the rights of Handwara’s people”, they said.
It is noteworthy that the GMC Handwara project, sanctioned at Rs 325 crore central scheme was inaugurated in 2021. Initially targeted for completion by March 2025, the construction at Gund Chogal site began in 2020 but stalled due to seasonal flooding. The Union Health Ministry later extended the deadline to 2026.
Recently, Health Minister Sakina Itoo confirmed that Natnusa had been finalized as the new site after joint inspections with senior officials and political representatives, citing technical feasibility and long-term safety.
She said the government would begin construction immediately after cabinet approval, while stressing that the college was a “50-year project for the welfare of the region.”
However, the residents of Handwara and local bodies have staged multiple protests against the relocation, warning the government not to ignore local sentiment.
Meanwhile, a delegation led by Mir Junaid, representing the residents of Langate and Handwara, met Chief Secretary Atul Dulloo in Srinagar to press for the college to remain at its sanctioned site.
The delegation also handed over a detailed memorandum to the Chief Secretary, laying out strong objections to the proposed relocation of GMC Handwara. It highlighted that more than Rs 50 crore has already been spent on infrastructure development at the sanctioned Gund Chogal site and any move away from it would amount to a colossal waste of public exchequer.
The memorandum warned that shifting the project to Nutnussa would not only escalate costs by several crores but also push back the deadline beyond 2026, while simultaneously risking derecognition from the National Medical Commission (NMC) due to the distance norm between the medical college and its teaching hospital.
Citing the approvals and clearances granted earlier to Chogal, the delegation demanded a thorough inquiry to establish how the site was passed as feasible if it was flood-prone, urging that the officers responsible for this lapse be held accountable.
They maintained that issues of waterlogging can be addressed with cost-effective engineering solutions, as seen in other flood-affected medical institutions across India and insisted that political or personal interests must not override the collective right of Handwara’s residents to timely healthcare and education facilities.
Dulloo, they said, assured full cooperation, which has given residents confidence that their concerns will be considered—(KNO)