Srinagar, Mar 14: In a significant move, Maharashtra is set to become the first state to purchase land in Jammu and Kashmir for constructing a state guest house facility. The Maharashtra cabinet has approved the acquisition of a 2.5-acre plot in Budgam, near Srinagar airport, paving the way for the establishment of the Maharashtra Bhawan in the Valley.
The proposed facility, aimed at providing comfortable accommodation and amenities for visitors and officials from Maharashtra, will be built, as approved by the J&K government for the land transfer.
This landmark decision comes after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde initiated the process of acquiring land and building a tourist facility in J&K during his visit to the Union Territory in June 2018 and meeting with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, revealed that the state government has allocated Rs 77 crore for the construction of two Maharashtra Bhawans – one in Srinagar and another in Ayodhya. “These facilities will provide better and safer accommodation to tourists and devotees from the state at reasonable rates,” Pawar stated.
Prior to the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, only permanent residents of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir could purchase land in the region. However, the government could lease land to businesses and outsiders for long-term periods of up to 99 years.
The Maharashtra Bhawan project marks a significant milestone in the integration of J&K with the rest of the country, enabling other states to establish their presence and provide facilities for their residents visiting the picturesque Union Territory.
