The Jammu and Kashmir government has issued 807 building permissions across various Tourism Development Authorities over the past three years, a period marked by intensified efforts to curb unauthorized constructions, particularly in popular tourist destinations. The data, provided by the Minister in charge of the Tourism Department, indicates a structured approach to development while simultaneously cracking down on violations.
The Chenab Times has learned that the number of granted permissions has seen a gradual increase. In the fiscal year 2023-24, 147 permissions were sanctioned. This figure rose to 245 in 2024-25, and further climbed to 415 in 2025-26. These sanctioned projects are diverse, encompassing 514 residential houses, 121 commercial buildings, 26 hotels, 14 huts, and two guest houses. In parallel, the Tourism Department has also formally registered 2,641 homestays, collectively offering a substantial bed capacity of 19,329, suggesting a growing accommodation sector.
Enforcement Against Unauthorised Constructions Intensifies
To counter unplanned urban sprawl and preserve the aesthetic integrity of tourist hubs, authorities have escalated enforcement actions against illegal constructions. In Doodhpathri, a significant number of 147 illegal structures were identified. This led to the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) and the issuance of formal notices to the offenders. Similarly, the Bhaderwah region saw 358 notices being served to address violations of building norms.
Enforcement activities have also been reported in other key tourist locations. In Gulmarg, 20 structures identified as illegal were sealed, and one was demolished out of a total of 21 identified unauthorized buildings. Pahalgam witnessed the sealing of 13 structures out of 28 identified unauthorized constructions, with further actions anticipated. In Patnitop, authorities took decisive action by demolishing 15 structures and halting several others in their nascent stages of construction. Additional violations were penalized in Verinag, and five illegal constructions were identified and addressed in Sonamarg.
Technological Interventions and Audits for Monitoring
The administration is employing advanced technologies to monitor and manage assets, particularly in sensitive tourist areas like Sonamarg, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. The use of Geographic Information System (GIS)-based inventories, coupled with the mandatory requirement of geo-coordinates for all assets, is aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in development. Furthermore, special audits conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and vigilance inquiries have been initiated to investigate instances of illegal constructions in Pahalgam and Sonamarg. While the final findings of the Sonamarg inquiry are pending formal communication to the department, these measures signal a robust oversight mechanism.
The Chenab Times News Desk