Tourist Hut Construction at Naranag Remains Incomplete Due to Land Dispute, Says CM Omar | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds charge of the Tourism Department, informed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday that the construction of the Tourist Hut at Naranag, initiated in 2010, remains incomplete due to land-related disputes and site complications.

Replying to a question raised by MLA Mian Mehar Ali during the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session, the Chief Minister stated that approximately 70 percent of the construction work had been completed before the project was halted. He explained that objections raised by a local resident—demanding either compensation or employment in lieu of the land—led to the suspension of further work.

The Chief Minister said the matter was subsequently referred to Revenue authorities, and a report from the Tehsildar Kangan confirmed that the hut is located on forest land beyond the boundary of the Wangath estate. The issue has now been taken up with the Divisional Forest Officer, Sindh Forest Division, Ganderbal, to obtain the relevant land records for the site at Doshardi Morh, Naranag.

Omar Abdullah added that due to the unresolved dispute and pending site-related issues, no additional funds have been projected under any scheme so far. He assured the Assembly that complete details would be retrieved and shared once available.