By Times of India team
Maharashtra is set to make history! Reportedly, Maharashtra is all set to become the first state in India to purchase land in Kashmir to construct a tourist bhawan catering to its residents. According to The Indian Express, the upcoming Maharashtra Bhawan will be set in the heart of Budgam in central Kashmir. It will also mark the first state bhawan in the valley.
As per reports, the facility will occupy 2.5 acres of land in Ichgam, close to the Srinagar airport. The Jammu and Kashmir government has granted permission for the land transfer to the Maharashtra government at a cost of INR 8.16 crore. This process of acquiring land was set in motion subsequent to a visit by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to the union territory in June of the preceding year, where he held discussions with Governor Manoj Sinha.
Before the revocation of Article 370, land acquisition in the former state was restricted solely to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. But, the government had the authority to lease land for durations of up to 99 years to external industries and individuals.
Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar shared plans for the construction of two Maharashtra Bhawans in Srinagar and Ayodhya in a recent budget speech. These bhawans aim at enhancing amenities for tourists and pilgrims. The state government has given INR 77 crore for the development of these bhawans.
This story was originally published in timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Read the full story here.