In a significant gesture of goodwill, the Army has decided to hand over 139.04 acres of its land, located in the heart of Srinagar city, to the local administration. This move comes as a major step to address a longstanding demand of successive Jammu and Kashmir governments over the past 50 years, aiming to avoid tensions between the civilian population and the Army.
The official statement highlights that the transferred land at Tattoo ground will be utilized for tourism and other related activities. The Ministry of Defence has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Home Affairs, represented by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, for the transfer of this land to promote tourism and development in the region.
The MoU signing ceremony, presided over by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan, marks a momentous occasion in the development of major tourism space in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Lt. Governor Sinha commended the Army for its cooperation, emphasizing that the administration and security forces are dedicated to the welfare of the people.
He expressed his commitment to fulfill all the conditions of the MoU and develop tourism and related activities in a way that makes Tattoo ground one of the most attractive destinations for tourists visiting the Kashmir valley.
During the occasion, Lt. Governor Sinha also discussed the 'Mera Mati Mera Desh' campaign to honor the martyrs and the preparations for Independence Day events with senior Army officers. Other dignitaries, including Lt. General Rajiv Ghai (GOC 15 Corps), Dr. Mandeep Kumar Bhandari (Principal Secretary to Lt. Governor), Sh. Vijay Kumar (ADGP Kashmir), Sh. Vijay Bidhuri (Divisional Commissioner Kashmir), and senior officers from the Army and UT Administration, were present to witness the momentous event.