Maharashtra has become the first Indian state to acquire land from the administration in Jammu Kashmir for the construction of Maharashtra Bhawan in the region.
The groundwork for this initiative was laid during Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s visit to Jammu Kashmir in June 2023. Subsequent discussions between Chief Minister Shinde and Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha led to the decision to establish Maharashtra Bhawan in Budgam district, central Kashmir.
Envisaged as the Valley’s inaugural state Bhawan, Maharashtra Bhawan aims to serve as a crucial hub for accommodating and assisting tourists exploring the scenic wonders of Jammu Kashmir. Its strategic location in Budgam, near Srinagar, ensures convenient accessibility for visitors arriving via the Srinagar airport.
A Bhawan is set to be built on a 2.5-acre plot of land near Srinagar airport at Ichgam. The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved for the land transfer to the state government, pending a payment of Rs 8.16 crore.
The purchase was made possible following the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A on August 5, 2019. Previously, land acquisition in the region was limited to leasing arrangements.
