Baramulla, May 8: The authorities at the Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla have come under scrutiny over poor planning and financial mismanagement as Rs 15 crore earmarked for key developmental works for the year 2025-26 have got lapsed.

The move has exposed the ill planning, lack of coordination, and poor administration at the premier healthcare institute in north Kashmir.

An official said that the funds were sanctioned during the financial year for the execution of key developmental projects, but the funds got lapsed due to poor administration.

“These funds were meant for drainage infrastructure, Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), and Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) besides other projects. Ironically, the funds remained unutilised and got lapsed,” the official told Greater Kashmir.

Due to this, GMC Baramulla is grappling with a worsening sanitation crisis owing to the non availability of a proper drainage system.

The drainage system outside the hostel blocks of the college has got blocked and no efforts are being made to repair it.

“The drainage system near canteen and hostel area is out of order. This problem is getting aggravated due to non availability of proper ETP and STP. The Planning Department and the administration delay the approvals as a result of which the funds got lapsed,” the official said.

He said the a drug de-addiction centre was to be established at the institute but the poor planning was playing a spoilsport.

“Though the officers claim to get it established, but the process is very slow,” the official said.

He said that the hospital lacks mortuary block but no work had been done in this regard so far.

The inter-connected roads of the different departments of GMC Baramulla are lying in shambles while the GMC administration has not started work on any new developmental project.

In October last year, Greater Kashmir reported that a blood carrier van sanctioned in February 2025 was yet to be procured by the GMC Baramulla.

The funds worth Rs 36 lakh were granted to GMC Baramulla out of the grants released to Baramulla (Aspirational District) under NITI Aayog for the procurement of the Van.

However, the van is yet to be procured despite the passage of around seven months.

In October, Principal GMC Dr Majid Jahangir told Greater Kashmir that the procurement was in its final stage.

However, despite the passage of seven months, the blood van is yet to be procured.

Another concern at GMC is the delayed process in hiring of academic arrangement staff.

“The staff is not hired on time which aggravates the problems at the hospital,” the official told Greater Kashmir.

“GMC Baramulla is marred by the lack of coordination and poor planning,” he said. Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo told Greater Kashmir that the issue would be looked into. “I will take it up with the GMC officials and ascertain the reasons why the funds have not been utilised,” she told Greater Kashmir.

Baramulla, May 08: A group of tourists were stranded in the upper reaches of Gulmarg on Friday afternoon after a private helicopter carrying them to Sunshine Peak developed a technical snag mid-operation, officials said.

Soon after the incident, rescue teams comprising personnel from the Army, local police and civil administration launched a coordinated operation to ensure the safe evacuation of all passengers. 

Officials said the tourists were brought to safety without any injuries.

Reacting to the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appreciated the swift response of the rescue teams and commended the coordination between the Army and civil administration.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister said he appreciated the “prompt and coordinated efforts” in rescuing the stranded tourists in the higher reaches of Gulmarg after the helicopter developed a technical fault.

He also directed the administration to strengthen safety protocols and take all necessary measures to ensure a safe and secure experience for tourists visiting the Valley.

Chief Executive Officer of the Gulmarg Development Authority, Tariq Ahmad, confirmed that all passengers were evacuated safely.

“The chopper developed a technical snag. Following the information, the Army and civil administration carried out rescue efforts and evacuated all passengers safely,” he said.

Ganderbal, May 08: In view of incidents of drowning in Nallah Sindh and other water bodies resulting in the loss of precious human lives in the recent past, the sub-divisional administration Kangan on Friday issued an advisory for people living in nearby areas along nallah Sindh asking to avoid bathing in the stream and remain extra vigilant.

“It has come to the notice of this office that a growing number of people including youth, children and elderly people of Sub-Division Kangan or other districts venture on the embankments of open water bodies such as Nallah Sindh, Wangath Nallah, PDC Canal, Barwalla Waterfall, which is always risky as these sites lack proper design, safety infrastructure, and rescue mechanisms, making them extremely unsafe. There are no formal or certified swimming facilities available at these locations, and recent as well as past experiences have shown that such activities often lead to fatal drowning incidents, turning a moment of relief into a tragedy for families and communities.
Therefore in order to avoid drowning incidents in Kangan Sub Division, people are strongly advised not to venture, enter, or play near any open water source under any circumstance. Besides, Parents and guardians are strongly advised to exercise strict vigilance over their children’s activities and prohibit them to enter, venture near Nallah’s or any other open water source” the advisory issued by SDM Kangan reads.

Furthermore, to intensify monitoring, the following directions are issued, Assistant Executive Engineer CMD/Generation USHP -II Kangan and Assistant Executive Engineer, Flood Control Division, Ganderbal, is directed to activate field staff to maintain strict vigil at all vulnerable sites.

Tehsildar Kangan/ Gund shall mobilize Lumberdars and Chowkidars to assist in surveillance and discouraging of any kind of risky activity. Station House Officer Kangan/ Ganderbal/ Gund/ Sonamarg shall keep strict vigil in and around the water bodies.

Bandipora, May 08: Three youths reportedly drowned in the Jhelum river in Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Friday, officials said.

Officials said that the incident took place in the Hajin area, following which rescue teams were rushed to the spot and a massive search operation was launched to trace the missing youths.

Rescue personnel, police teams and locals are jointly carrying out the operation in the river, while further details regarding the identities of the youths are awaited.

Officials said more information is emerging and the rescue operation was underway when this report was filed. (JKNS)