Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) has raised concerns over the 500-meter construction ban near AIIMS Awantipora in the ongoing Legislative Assembly session.
Rafiq Ahmad Naik, MLA from Tral, highlighted that the ban is severely affecting local residents, leaving them with no space to build homes as most land in the region is already occupied by AIIMS, the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), and the Victor Force military base.
“AIIMS Awantipora is a welcome step, but the 500m construction ban on both sides of the road is unfair. With most land under AIIMS, IUST & Victor Force, where will Awantipora residents build their homes? Even 2nd story construction isn’t allowed,” PDP posted MLA Naik’s question on X handle.
Naik termed the construction of AIIMS Awantipora a welcome step for healthcare in South Kashmir but called the restrictions on residential construction unfair. He said that even second-story constructions are not allowed, leaving families with limited options.
Protests over the ban have been intensifying since late 2024, with residents urging authorities to reconsider the policy. Many have expressed frustration over losing their land to developmental projects without alternative solutions for housing. JKPDP has pledged to push for a review of the restrictions to ensure that infrastructure growth does not come at the cost of local livelihoods.
The AIIMS Awantipora project, which is over 60% complete, is expected to be operational by November 2025. However, the ongoing land-use debate continues to put authorities under pressure to find a balanced solution that accommodates both healthcare expansion and the needs of Awantipora’s residents.
