The Jammu Development Authority (JDA), responsible for making Jammu city organized and smart, is itself facing serious challenges. The situation is such that approximately 20% of the JDA’s total land is under the grip of illegal encroachments, which is not only affecting the city’s development but also making it difficult to implement the Master Plan 2032.
The JDA owns a total of 80,976 kanals of land in Jammu city and surrounding areas, of which approximately 16,467 kanals are reportedly under illegal occupation. Due to the lack of land, government and residential projects are not being completed on time. Many important development plans remain confined to paperwork.
Hundreds of cases entangled in courts
The biggest obstacle to removing encroachments has become legal complications. According to reports, approximately 635 encroachers have approached the court, whose cases are still pending. Despite its best efforts, the JDA is unable to provide land for major projects. This is directly impacting the timely implementation of Master Plan 2032.
Housing Dream Unfulfilled
The Master Plan 2032 provides for housing construction for the affected people, with a target of approximately 5% housing construction. However, due to encroachment and land shortages, the hope of providing shelter to the common people seems to be fading.
The situation is further complicated by the weak state of the JDA’s enforcement wing. The department now has only half a dozen permanent employees. Removing large-scale encroachments with the help of NGOs or temporary workers is considered nearly impossible.
Not a single new colony in 20 years
Surprisingly, in the past two decades, the JDA has not been able to develop a single new residential colony in the city and its surrounding areas. Proposed colonies in places like Gol Gujral, Kot Bhalwal, and Birpur have been lying in files for years.
However, to increase revenue, the JDA has developed several flats and commercial complexes, including Mutthi, Rupnagar, Trikuta Nagar, and Bahu Complex.
