Chief Secretary favours faster development of housing colonies

Jammu, Jan 15: In a significant push towards addressing the growing housing requirements of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, the Chief Secretary Thursday chaired a meeting to assess the progress and future roadmap of housing colonies being developed by the Jammu & Kashmir Housing Board (JKHB), Jammu Development Authority (JDA), and Srinagar Development Authority (SDA).
The review focused on ongoing, proposed, and planned housing projects, with particular emphasis on sustainable development, affordability, and timely execution through innovative models such as Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Self-Financing Schemes (SFS) in both Kashmir and Jammu division.
The meeting besides Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD was attended by Vice-Chairmen, JDA/SAD; MD, J&K Housing Board; CEO, CiTAG and other concerned officers.
The Chief Secretary observed that the rapid shrinkage of available urban land coupled with steadily rising land prices has made housing increasingly unaffordable for large sections of the population. He emphasized that the government must proactively intervene through planned housing colonies to ensure that home ownership remains within reach of the common citizen, particularly middle- and lower-income groups.
Highlighting the strategic importance of public housing projects, he noted that structured, high-density housing developed by government agencies not only optimizes land use but also significantly reduces per-unit costs, thereby making housing more accessible to a wider cross-section of society.
The Chief Secretary stressed that affordable housing cannot be achieved through isolated efforts and requires a coordinated, multi-agency approach supported by innovative development models. He underlined that leveraging PPP frameworks, self-financing schemes, and vertical development is essential to counter land scarcity while ensuring quality construction, adequate amenities, and long-term sustainability.
Speaking in this meeting the Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD, Mandeep Kaur remarked that the Department is alive to the social dimension that secure and affordable housing is central to social stability and economic well-being. She stated that government-led housing colonies play a vital role in preventing urban sprawl, reducing pressure on infrastructure, and ensuring equitable access to basic services for all segments of society.
She gave out the efforts made by the Department in the past in providing suitable housing units/plots to the public and the present projects advancing in both the divisions of the UT. She also apprised the meeting about the future plans of the Department to raise housing projects here in different districts in PPP or self-financing mode to meet the dwelling requirements of all sections of the society.
The MD, Housing Board, Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza apprised the meeting that the Housing Board is actively developing multiple housing colonies across Jammu and Kashmir to cater to diverse income groups.
He revealed that several land parcels have been identified for development under the PPP model at locations including Birpur (Samba), Padgampora (Pulwama), Watapora (Bandipora), Chowadi (Jammu), Changran (Kathua), and Chatterhama (Srinagar). He added that the market and demand assessments are being finalized to ensure commercially viable and people-centric housing solutions are created at these locations.
Additionally, housing colonies at Chak Bhalwal (Jammu), Bakoora (Ganderbal), and Bhalwal (Jammu) have been approved under the Self-Financing Scheme. Notably, the these colonies envisage residential units along with modern amenities such as commercial spaces, parking, and other facilities for the amenable living of the inmates there.
The VC, Jammu Development Authority, Rupesh Kumar apprised the meeting that a substantial progress has been attained on JDA Heights Phase-II at Lower Roop Nagar, comprising 144 residential flats of various configurations. He said that the structural works have been completed, and the project has achieved approximately 75% physical progress.
He gave out that another major initiative of JDA includes the Transport Nagar, Narwal improvement and upgradation project featuring modern residential apartments, parking facilities, elevators, and community amenities.
Moreover he revealed that JDA has also resolved several long-pending legacy issues during the current financial year, unlocking valuable land assets and improving institutional efficiency.
The VC, Srinagar Development Authority, Mohammad Rafi highlighted progress on Shehjar Heights Phase-II at Bemina, where 112 additional flats are under construction, with project completion targeted for 2027–28. The project is being executed with advanced structural designs to ensure seismic safety and sustainability.
A flagship initiative under SDA is the development of the Satellite Township at Rakhi Gund Aksha, Bemina, spread over nearly 2,950 kanals in its initial phases. The township, launched in December 2022, has witnessed overwhelming public response, with thousands of online applications received. It was futher given out that NBCC has been engaged as the Project Executing Agency, and the township will be developed in a phased manner over five years.
A key highlight of the review was the government’s emphasis on sustainable, net-zero housing colonies, aligned with India’s commitments under COP-26. The adoption of PPP models aims to reduce government exposure while creating model townships that integrate energy efficiency, transit-oriented development (TOD) norms, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Additionally the CEO, CiTAG (Centre for Innovation and Transformation in Governance) gave out that the centre is actively facilitating PPP-based housing and commercial projects by conducting site visits, preparing DPRs, and finalizing Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to attract national-level developers. Multiple land parcels across Jammu and Kashmir are being bundled and structured to ensure financial viability and inclusive development, including mandated EWS housing, he explained.
The Chief Secretary stressed the need for time-bound execution and quality construction, while ensuring affordability for the common citizen. He underscored that housing remains a key pillar of urban development and social well-being, and directed all agencies to work in coordination to translate these projects into tangible benefits for the people of J&K.