Srinagar/Jammu, March 8 — The National Conference (NC) government said on Monday that 1,298.28 kanals of land have been identified for the establishment of nine townships across Jammu and Kashmir to address ‘housing needs and regulate unplanned urban expansion.’
Raising concerns over the project, MLA Pulwama Waheed-Ur-Rehman Para called the township plan alarming, saying it fuels fears of demographic engineering and environmental disasters.
“For whom are these townships being built? You said they are for the people of J&K, but the government should clearly define 'people of Jammu and Kashmir,' as the term remains vague," he said while asking supplementary questions.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also heads the Housing and Urban Development Department, confirmed the government’s plan.
"Yes, the government intends to establish satellite townships in J&K. We want to check unplanned urban expansion and meet the housing needs of the people," he said.
Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo, responding on behalf of the CM in the Legislative Assembly, provided a breakdown of the land allocation:
Padgampura (Pulwama): 30 kanals
Watapora (Bandipora): 200 kanals
Bhalwal (Jammu): 85 kanals
Changran (Kathua): 81.48 kanals
Chatterhama (Srinagar): 353.35 kanals
Bakoora (Ganderbal): 214 kanals
Chak Bhalwal (Jammu): 248.65 kanals
Chowadhi (Jammu): 69 kanals
Kanuyian (Poonch): 16.80 kanals
She added that beneficiary details will be determined after the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is finalized.
Meanwhile, Itoo informed the House that the Srinagar Development Authority has identified state land along National Highway Bypass Bemina (Rakhi Gund Aksha), while the Jammu Development Authority has earmarked land in Sidhra, Jammu, to cater to housing demands.
Addressing environmental concerns, she assured that all ecological factors will be considered before construction begins.