Handwara, August 19: A delegation led by Mir Junaid on behalf of the residents of Langate and Handwara on Tuesday met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atul Dulloo and pressed for the timely establishment of Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara at its originally sanctioned site near District Hospital Handwara.
Approved in 2019 with an allocation of ₹325 crore under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, the GMC was e-inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in 2021, and later expanded with a nursing college and hostel in 2024 by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Designed to host 250 MBBS seats, 1,100 beds, and a nursing program, the project is expected to significantly benefit tribal and rural populations in north Kashmir.
The delegation raised concerns over reported plans to shift the site to Nutnussa, more than 10 km away from the District Hospital. They argued that such relocation would violate National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines, escalate costs, and delay the project.
“Relocation not only disconnects the teaching hospital from the college but also risks NMC derecognition,” Youth leader Mir Junaid said. He added that technical issues like waterlogging at the approved site could be addressed with engineering measures at minimal cost, citing precedents such as SKIMS Bemina and other institutions across India.
According to the statement issued by the residents, Chief Secretary gave a patient hearing and assured full cooperation, which delegation members said had boosted local confidence.
They also urged immediate constitution of expert committees for distance verification, soil and flood testing, and security evaluation, alongside resumption of work at the sanctioned site.
Residents and local representatives stressed that the project holds both technical and moral importance—promising medical education opportunities for local youth and dependable healthcare for underserved populations.
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