Jammu, March 11 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, conducted a review on Wednesday regarding plans to enhance and modernise the JK House properties across the nation.

An official announcement revealed: “Today, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah evaluated the strategies to establish new JK Houses in Dwarka in the national capital and Mumbai, alongside revamping current government properties in various states and Union Territories to bolster Jammu and Kashmir’s presence across India.”

Attendees of the review meeting included Ramesh Kumar, the Resident Commissioner of J&K, as well as senior officials from the Resident Commission and related departments. They provided updates on active projects, financial requirements, and future development initiatives aimed at fortifying the institutional framework beyond Jammu and Kashmir.

During the progress review of numerous infrastructure endeavors managed by the J&K Resident Commission, the Chief Minister highlighted that all newly constructed and renovated JK House properties should embody the rich cultural heritage and unique identity of Jammu and Kashmir.

“It is essential that the new developments and renovations reflect the local essence of Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural legacy, ensuring these government properties are a harmonious blend of heritage and contemporary functionality,” stated the Chief Minister.

The meeting also assessed the condition of J&K government properties in Dwarka, 5 Prithviraj Road in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Mumbai, while discussing plans for the expansion and modernization of amenities intended for officials, students, patients, and visitors from Jammu and Kashmir.

It was reported that the government has initiated steps to establish a new JK House in Dwarka, New Delhi, to enhance accommodation and administrative infrastructure for J&K officials and visitors.

Additionally, efforts are underway to develop a JK House in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, to strengthen J&K’s influence in the financial capital of the country.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister underscored that these government properties should stand as symbols of pride for Jammu and Kashmir, showcasing its cultural richness and architectural identity.

“These establishments must make J&K proud of its properties and act as dignified representations in various regions of the country,” he instructed, urging officials to guarantee quality infrastructure and timely project completion.

While discussing the proposed JK House in Amritsar, the Chief Minister directed the relevant authorities to engage with the Punjab government regarding land consolidation.

He noted that the currently available land parcels are dispersed and may not adequately support the intended purpose of constructing a functional government facility.

The Chief Minister instructed officials to request the Punjab government to allocate a single, consolidated plot to facilitate the development of a well-planned JK House in Amritsar.

Regarding the Navi Mumbai project, it was mentioned that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) amounting to Rs 29.56 crore has been submitted to the administrative department, alongside a capital expenditure proposal of approximately Rs 30 crore for the construction of the facility.

The meeting also explored the potential of assigning the project execution to government-owned agencies in Maharashtra to ensure smooth and efficient construction.

The Chief Minister advised the officials to investigate similar government properties established by other states and Union Territories to incorporate best practices in infrastructure development, architecture, and service delivery into the forthcoming J&K facilities.

“Benchmark these projects against the finest state guest houses and institutional facilities nationwide to ensure Jammu and Kashmir develops world-class infrastructure for its residents visiting these cities,” he emphasized.

The Chief Minister urged that efforts be made to complete these projects as swiftly as possible, ensuring new facilities for officials, students, patients, and other visitors from J&K are available at the earliest.

The meeting also deliberated on allocating construction and renovation tasks to agencies like the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) for efficient project execution.

Previously, Resident Commissioner Ramesh Kumar provided a detailed presentation to the Chief Minister regarding the status of various government properties managed by the Resident Commission, which include offices, staff quarters, guest houses, and VIP accommodation facilities.

He highlighted several development proposals, including upgrading VIP rooms into suites at the Chanakyapuri JK House complex, redeveloping the property on Rajaji Marg in New Delhi, and expanding guest house facilities at 5 Prithviraj Road.

The meeting also evaluated the condition of other properties managed by the Resident Commission in cities such as Chandigarh, Amritsar, Malabar Hill in Mumbai, and Sirsa in Haryana.