Inaugurates housing block at Muthi, lays base of swimming pool
JAMMU: Questioning the demolition of the house of Dr Umar Nabi, the man who drove the explosives-laden car in the Delhi blast, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said such actions neither curb terrorism nor contribute to long-term peace, but instead risk intensifying public resentment.
Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of newly constructed estate flats at Muthi on the outskirts of Jammu, Abdullah said punitive demolitions have repeatedly failed to deliver results and only deepen alienation.
“If terrorism could be stopped because of these things (demolishing houses), it would have stopped by now. Even after Pahalgam, you blew up so many houses — did this (terror attacks) stop? I fear that because of such things, anger and resentment increases. But these decisions are not in our hands”, Abdullah told reporters here.
The chief minister said that those authorising such measures should introspect. “Those who make these decisions should reflect on their decisions and see whether, through such actions, they have been able to stop terrorism or not”.
Abdullah claimed that during his six-year tenure as chief minister, militancy-related incidents steadily declined without the administration resorting to demolishing civilian properties. “Security was my responsibility. Every year, militant incidents declined, but we were never compelled to blow up houses,” he added.
During the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, security forces demolished the house of Dr Umar Nabi in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
CM Omar Abdullah inaugurated a newly constructed block of residential flats at Muthi, marking a major step towards strengthening the Government’s housing infrastructure for its employees.
The Chief Minister formally opened the facility by cutting the ceremonial ribbon.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Director General Estates Tariq Hussain Ganai, Deputy Director Estates Jammu Dr. Vikas Sharma, and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
The new block at Muthi comprises 28 one-room residential flats built as a Ground + 6 floors structure. Each compact unit includes a bedroom, lobby/living area, kitchen, and washroom—designed to efficiently meet the residential needs of employees while ensuring cost-effectiveness and optimal space utilization.
The Chief Minister inspected various flats, appreciated their aesthetics, and expressed satisfaction over the space management evident in the construction. He hoped that the project would help in addressing the accommodation requirements of government employees.
During the briefing, DG Estates Tariq Hussain Ganai informed the Chief Minister that the project has been executed with a strong focus on functional design, structural safety, and affordability. He added that the department is undertaking a comprehensive plan to modernize old residential colonies in a phased manner.
DD Estates Jammu Dr. Vikas Sharma briefed the Chief Minister on the layout, amenities, and ongoing supervision mechanisms put in place to ensure quality control and timely completion of upcoming housing units.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening residential infrastructure and ensuring access to safe, secure, and well-planned housing for employees.
“Our aim is to bridge the gap in government accommodation by creating modern, sleek and employee-friendly residential spaces across Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The Chief Minister later inspected the ongoing construction of 56 two-room residential flats—28 each at Ahata Amar Singh and Sarwal. These Ground + 6 floor structures include two bedrooms, a lobby/living area, kitchen, and two washrooms, designed to meet the needs of employees with families. The projects are scheduled for completion in December 2025.
He directed the officers to ensure optimal use of available land, maintain high aesthetic standards quality in construction and phase out old and unsafe quarters to make way for new and improved residential facilities.
The Chief Minister observed that the combined 84 residential units coming up at Muthi, Ahata Amar Singh, and Sarwal will substantially reduce the shortage of government accommodation. He emphasized that these initiatives aim to close the existing housing gap, provide employees with modern and better living environment, and promote fair and equitable allocation of residential facilities across different employee categories.
He appreciated the Estates Department for expediting construction across multiple locations and underscored the need to continue upgrading public infrastructure for the welfare of government employees.
Additionally, CM Omar Abdullah today reiterated his government’s resolve to position Jammu Tawi Golf Course (JTGC), Sidhra, as a premier national destination for golfers.
He made these remarks while addressing a felicitation ceremony organized for paragliders upon the completion of their training course at JTGC.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that while tournaments are being held in Srinagar, Pahalgam and Gulmarg, Jammu’s golfing potential has not been promoted to the extent it deserves.
“Jammu’s golf course is exceptionally beautiful and of high quality. We will work harder to promote it, host more tournaments, and ensure that JTGC emerges as a national golfing destination,” he said.
He assured the people of Jammu that the government is making concerted efforts to secure the region economically and elevate its standing on the national tourism map.
“Our commitment to Jammu is unwavering. Whether it is Jammu city, its surrounding areas, or the remotest parts of Jammu province, our endeavour is to ensure not just security but prosperity. We have taken several steps already, and many more are in the pipeline,” he said.
The Chief Minister emphasized that Jammu possesses immense tourism diversity—heritage tourism, pilgrimage tourism, border tourism and adventure tourism—all of which require sustained promotion.
“There is a need to bring more people here, develop facilities further and unlock the full tourism potential of this region,” he added.
Referring to the development of the golf course, he said, “I don’t know what first inspired us to establish a golf course here—but Jammu deserves it. People here love golf as much as anywhere else, and this facility must be strengthened and promoted.”
He also appreciated the introduction of new initiatives such as the enhanced tourist bus services. “The bus inaugurated today, linked to border tourism, is a special addition. We have always maintained that Jammu’s tourism must be nurtured across all fronts,” he noted.
Earlier, the CM laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Indoor Swimming Pool at JTGC, Sidhra—marking a major addition to sports infrastructure in the region. He also flagged off the Jammu Gedi Bus Service, an innovative transport initiative aimed at improving connectivity to major tourist destinations such as Surinsar-Mansar and Suchetgarh.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Minister for Transport Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Jammu East Yudhvir Sethi, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Director Tourism Jammu Vikas Gupta, and other senior officials were present during the event.
CM congratulated the paragliders on completing their course and encouraged them to serve as ambassadors of Jammu’s adventure tourism potential.
