Minister for Science & Technology, Social Welfare, ARI & Trainings, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Sajad Gani Lone called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh here today and discussed the upcoming Biotech Park project at Gaati-Phase 3, near Kathua, which is going to be the first-ever of its kind in this part of the country. He also discussed wide range of other issues pertaining to various development projects and new initiatives planned for the State.

Dr Jitendra Singh told Shri Sajad Lone that the proposed Biotech Park coming up at Kathua will be a game changer not only for the State of Jammu & Kashmir but for the entire northern part of the country. He disclosed that this would be the first such park of its kind in North India after the one that exists in Lucknow.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that the approval for this project was given last year by the Union Ministry of Science & Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India and there was some hassle regarding the land clearance for which the Union Ministry of Environment was approached and guidelines were suitably modified. As it is now, the project is through for construction at a budget of around Rs 100 crore in the first phase which is expected to be completed in a period of 18 months, following which this first ever Biotech park of the region will become functional.

Shri Sajad Gani Lone assured Dr Jitendra Singh of full cooperation from the J&K State Department of Science & Technology and offered to coordinate with the Union Ministry of Science & Technology, Department of Biotechnology in completing this prestigious project. He said, he will personally monitor the project so that it gets completed in time.

Appreciating Dr Jitendra Singh for getting the first-ever Biotech Park for the State, Shri Sajad Gani Lone said that this will not only usher in a new era of development but will also prove to be an important source of revenue generation and employment generation.