The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Maharashtra): The Maharashtra Cabinet has given the green light for the establishment of a Maharashtra Bhawan in Jammu and Kashmir, marking a significant development as it will be the first state-run guest house to be constructed in the Valley following the repeal of Article 370. The chosen site for this project is approximately 2.5 acres in the Ichgam area of Budgam district, a location strategically close to the Srinagar airport.
This decision follows the Maharashtra Cabinet’s recent approval to purchase the land for the guest house, with the transaction set at Rs 8.16 crore. The proposal was initially introduced during the last Maharashtra assembly session as part of the state budget, emphasizing the government’s commitment to enhancing facilities for its residents and officials visiting Kashmir.
The land transfer, priced at Rs 40.80 lakh per kanal, has been officially sanctioned under Rule 310 of the General Financial Rules, 2017. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had previously approached Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to request a land parcel for this purpose, highlighting the need to provide accessible accommodation for tourists and state officials in the Valley.
The Maharashtra Public Works Department has prepared a detailed proposal for the acquisition and construction of the guest house, projecting the cost at Rs 8.16 crore. This move is aimed at offering tourists affordable lodging options while visiting Kashmir, thus promoting tourism and strengthening interstate relations.
This initiative, however, seems to have flown under the radar in Mumbai, with officials expressing unawareness about Maharashtra being the first state to undertake such a project in Jammu and Kashmir since the constitutional changes in 2019.
In addition to this project, the Maharashtra government has earmarked Rs 77 crore for the construction of two state guest houses, one in Kashmir and another in Ayodhya, underscoring a broader strategy to facilitate travel and accommodation for its citizens across key cultural and historical sites in India.