Maharashtra To Purchase Land In Kashmir

Maharashtra will become the first Indian state to purchase land for setting up tourism facilities in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The proposed Maharashtra Bhavan will be built in central Kashmir's Budgam, marking the first state Bhavan in the valley, as per the reports by The Indian Express. 

The Maharashtra Bhawan will be built on a 2.5 acre site at Ichgam near the Srinagar Airport. The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved the transfer of land to Maharashtra for INR 8.16 crore. The land acquisition decision was taken after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the union territory last June and met Governor Manoj Sinha.

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Before the abrogation of Article 370, only permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir could purchase land in the region. However, the government had the right to lease land to outsiders and individuals for up to 99 years.

In his recent budget speech, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced the construction of two Maharashtra Bhavans in Srinagar and Ayodhya to enhance the facilities for tourists and devotees. The state government has allocated INR 77 crore for the construction of these two buildings.