RATTAN SHARMA
JAMMU : To meet the increased demand for housing and give a push to the housing sector, the Union Territory government of Jammu and Kashmir is planning for establishment of housing colonies in different districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Accordingly, the J&K Housing Board have been assigned the task of finalising the type designs and other modalities of these projects with a special focus on developing affordable housing on these land parcels.
In this connection, the process for land identification and other preliminary procedures have been initiated by the concerned Deputy Commissioners for establishment of Housing colonies in their respective districts, officials sources said.
While some districts have even transferred the land to the Housing Board for development of Housing colonies, the directions to others have been issued to identify suitable land for development of Housing Colonies in their respective districts, sources said adding that the Deputy Commissioners have been directed to expedite the process and transfer the land identified for the purpose.
In this regard, the Managing Director Housing Board has been directed to conduct joint visits at the identified land to check feasibility of land patches.
As per sources, the construction of the Housing Colony Project would play a very important role in the economic, industrial, social, and cultural development of Jammu and Kashmir. It will provide direct employment to skilled/unskilled labour as well as indirect employment to local vendors and youth, besides ensuring the development of local areas to meet the rising housing demand, they said.
Pertinently on February 2, 2022, the Administrative Council under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, had approved the transfer of 2,318 kanal and 8 marla land in seven villages at 17 locations in Srinagar and Budgam districts for construction of housing colonies. The transfer of land was approved free of cost in favour of the housing and urban development department for construction of housing colonies.
During the ‘Real Estate Summit-2022’, decisions were taken to develop housing stocks in both the capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu.
Jammu and Kashmir’s irresistible allure has not only attracted people as tourists but as potential land and house owners in the state, too. The Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board aims to build houses over the UT so that they can add to the overall infrastructural framework. The Board also aims to build inclusive, high-grade housing colonies throughout the state, irrespective of caste, religion, creed, and gender.