SRINAGAR: The government of Jammu and Kashmir has reported issuing 807 building permissions through its Tourism Development Authorities over the past three years, a period also marked by a significant number of identified illegal constructions across prominent tourist destinations. The figures were disclosed in response to a query from MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that from 2023 to 2026, a total of 807 permissions were sanctioned. The distribution shows 245 permissions in the fiscal year 2023-24, a decrease to 147 in 2024-25, followed by a substantial increase to 415 in 2025-26. The approved constructions primarily comprised residential buildings, with 544 such permissions granted. Commercial ventures followed with 121 approvals, alongside 26 hotels, 14 huts, and two guest houses.
Concurrently, the administration acknowledged the persistent issue of unauthorized and illegal constructions within key tourist areas, with enforcement actions actively underway. In Gulmarg, 21 illegal structures were identified, leading to the sealing of 20 and the demolition of one. Pahalgam reported 28 instances of unauthorized building, thirteen of which have been sealed, and proceedings are ongoing for the remainder. At Patnitop, 15 illegal structures were demolished, and several others were halted at their initial stages of development. Verinag recorded four unauthorized constructions that were subsequently penalized.
Doodhpathri emerged as a significant area of concern, with 147 illegal constructions identified, prompting the issuance of notices and the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs). Sonamarg reported five such cases. In Bhaderwah, authorities served 358 notices related to unauthorized constructions.
The government stated that its enforcement measures are comprehensive, including the sealing of properties, demolition of illegal structures, imposition of penalties, and the initiation of legal proceedings. Further actions are reportedly in progress across multiple cases to address the extent of unauthorized development impacting the region’s tourism infrastructure and ecological balance.
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