Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today told the J&K Assembly that the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ropeway project was approved by the Lieutenant Governor and not by his Cabinet, contradicting a claim made by BJP Katra MLA Baldev Raj Sharma a day earlier and triggering sharp exchanges in the House.
As the Assembly convened, National Conference MLA Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, joined by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, demanded Sharma’s resignation for allegedly misleading the House regarding Cabinet approval for the project.
Intervening, the Chief Minister said he personally verified the records after the BJP MLA’s statement. Omar said there was no approval granted by the Council of Ministers. He added that the matter had also not been placed before the earlier Administrative Council headed by the Lt Governor. According to him, the proposal was presented to the Lt Governor during a visit in September 2024 and was approved by him as the competent authority, about a month before the formation of the elected Government. He said it was necessary to correct the record and prevent the House and the public from being misled, while adding that he was not encouraging anyone to resign but only clarifying facts.
Baldev Sharma stood up during the proceedings and read from an official document, which he later submitted to the Speaker to be placed on record. Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary accused the BJP MLA of playing with public faith and sentiments. BJP MLAs Rajiv Jasrotia and Satish Sharma supported Sharma, while NC MLA Gurezi repeated his demand for resignation. After nearly 12 minutes of disruption, Question Hour resumed.
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Baldev Sharma cited a government order dated August 14, 2025, granting approval to the project. He alleged that the Government, particularly the Deputy Chief Minister, was provoking protests in Katra. Sharma also claimed he had received threats to his life and property during recent protests and said the Government would be responsible if anything untoward happened. He defended the ropeway project as a facility aimed at helping elderly and disabled pilgrims and said the Shrine Board had assured rehabilitation for those affected.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also stressed the need for a long-term water security plan for Jammu. Replying to supplementaries raised by BJP MLA Arvind Gupta, Omar Abdullah said reviving defunct tube wells and other sources were only short-term measures and insufficient for future needs. He recalled that an earlier proposal to bring water from the Chenab to Jammu city could not proceed due to Indus Waters Treaty restrictions.
With the treaty currently in abeyance, he said the Government is working with the Centre to move forward on key projects, including the Tulbul Navigation Barrage on the Jhelum near Sopore and a plan to lift water from the Chenab at Akhnoor for Jammu city. He expressed hope that approvals would be received soon so that work can begin.
