Handwara Medical College delayed by floods, timeline extended till 2027: Govt in RS
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Aatif Qayoom
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12 Dec 2025
Srinagar, Dec 12: The Union government has cited multiple flood events in 2024 as a primary reason for the delay in the execution of the Government Medical College (GMC) in Handwara.
In response to a query raised by MP Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan in the Rajya Sabha, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also confirmed that the project's completion deadline has been extended by two years.
The information was provided by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, in a written reply to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan.
The MP had sought reasons for the delay in the Handwara project, especially when compared to the GMC in Udhampur established under the same scheme, and inquired if the project's "sunset date" was being extended to March 2027 as requested by the UT administration.
The GMC Handwara was approved in 2019 under Phase-III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for 'Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals'. The scheme prioritises underserved areas and aspirational districts lacking government or private medical colleges.
The project, with a total approved cost of Rs 325 crores, follows a 90:10 fund-sharing ratio between the Centre and the Jammu & Kashmir government. Out of the central share of Rs 292.5 crores, Rs 173 crores have been released so far.
In her reply for parts (a) and (b), the minister stated, "As per guidelines of the Scheme, the planning, execution and commissioning of the medical colleges approved under the scheme is to be done by the concerned State/UT Government." She added, "As informed by UT of Jammu & Kashmir, the project suffered disruptions due to multiple flood events in 2024."
Addressing the timeline, the minister confirmed, "Further, the Ministry has extended the timeline for all the projects approved under the aforementioned scheme by two years, i.e. up to financial year 2027-28." This universal extension effectively aligns with the UT administration's request for a deadline up to March 2027.
The civil society forum in Handwara also held a press conference expressing deep concern over the prolonged delay of the crucial healthcare institution.
They had highlighted the disparity in pace with other projects like GMC Udhampur and appealed for urgent central intervention. During the conference, the group specifically thanked Rajya Sabha MP Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan for taking up the issue in Parliament, stating that it amplified their longstanding demand for accountability and expedited completion.
The extension, while providing a revised framework, is likely to be met with calls for stringent monitoring to ensure the 2027-28 deadline is met, given the region's pressing need for enhanced medical infrastructure.
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