Jammu, Feb 13: The Jammu and Kashmir Government today informed the Legislative Assembly that 1,425 illegal structures — including 1,194 residential and 231 commercial buildings — have been demolished across 13 districts since October 2024.
Replying to a starred question by PDP MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Housing & Urban Development portfolio, said the highest number of demolitions were carried out in Srinagar district, where 1,133 illegal structures (1,014 residential and 119 commercial) were razed. Jammu district followed with 237 demolitions, including 162 residential and 75 commercial structures.
In Srinagar, the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) demolished 615 residential structures, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) 394, and the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) five. Among commercial demolitions in the district, SMC removed 100 structures, LCMA 17, and SDA two.
In Jammu district, the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) demolished 155 residential and 61 commercial structures, while the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and Revenue Department carried out the remaining demolitions.
Demolitions were also reported from Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kupwara, Shopian, Ganderbal, Bandipora and Kulgam districts, carried out by various authorities including Tehsildars, Urban Local Bodies, National Highways Authority of India and development authorities.
The Chief Minister said encroachments are removed under the provisions of the J&K Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1988, and unauthorised constructions are dealt with under the Control of Building Operations (COBO) Act, 1988. Notices are served and sealing and demolition drives are conducted as per law, with adequate time given to violators.
He maintained that no structure is permitted without proper approval, but in some cases legal intervention, lack of timely police assistance, construction during odd hours and deviations from approved plans lead to delays in enforcement.
Meanwhile, replying to another starred question by National Conference MLA Javid Riyaz Bedar, the Chief Minister informed the House that Master Plans for Jammu and Srinagar cities, as well as Udhampur and Katra towns, have already been notified.
Under AMRUT 2.0, 25 additional towns — including Pattan — have been approved for preparation of GIS-based Master Plans. The work is at various stages of progress.
The Master Plan for Pattan has been awarded to the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Bhopal, with an agreement signed on September 10, 2025, and a completion timeline of six months. The local area plan for Pattan has already been finalised.
The Chief Minister also informed that Master Plans for major tourism development authorities, including Patnitop, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Gulmarg, have been formulated and notified and are under implementation to ensure planned development and infrastructure upgradation. (Agencies)
