Omar Abdullah Opens Modern Sports Complex at GDC Tangmarg and New PHC Block in Gulmarg
TANGMARG, MAY 06: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inaugurated a state-of-the-art multi-purpose indoor sports complex at Government Degree College Tangmarg, signaling a major push toward youth engagement and infrastructure development.
Constructed at a cost of 2.75 crore, the facility features modern arenas for badminton, table tennis, and billiards, designed to ensure that students remain physically active even during the region’s harsh winters.
During the event, the Chief Minister interacted with students and participated in several indoor games, emphasizing that such infrastructure is vital for fostering a vibrant sports culture in areas where outdoor activities are frequently restricted by weather.
Addressing a large gathering, the Chief Minister highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s potential to become a premier education hub, noting that the administration has cleared the way for private universities to set up campuses in the region. He pointed out that families currently spend upwards of 1,200 crore annually on tuition fees for students studying outside the Union Territory.
By establishing a local framework for reputed private institutions, the government aims to reduce this financial burden and leverage the natural beauty of places like Tangmarg to attract students from across India. He also launched the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan signature campaign at the college, calling on the youth to lead the movement toward a drug-free society.
In addition to the sports facility, the Chief Minister inaugurated a new 2.03 crore block of the Primary Health Centre in Gulmarg to enhance medical services for both locals and tourists. He reviewed the facility’s emergency rooms and diagnostic units alongside Health Minister Sakina Itoo and other senior officials.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to economic empowerment, the Chief Minister announced plans to provide up to 25,000 government jobs this year and detailed initiatives under the Mission Yuva program, which facilitates guarantee-free loans for young entrepreneurs.
He concluded by stressing that self-reliance and skill development in sectors like tourism and agriculture remain the cornerstone of the administration’s vision for a prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.