The Jammu and Kashmir government has informed the Legislative Assembly that more than 200 unauthorised structures have been identified in major tourist hotspots, with a major crackdown currently underway.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Doodhpathri tops the list with 147 illegal constructions, where notices have been served and FIRs registered. He added that action is already underway at most tourist destinations, with the tourism department seizing properties, demolishing structures, and imposing fines on violators.
Pahalgam has 28 illegal constructions (13 sealed); Gulmarg has 21 (20 sealed and one demolished); Patnitop has seen 15 demolitions; Verinag recorded four violations; Sonamarg five; and Bhaderwah has issued 358 notices.
The government also revealed that 807 building permissions were granted by various Tourism Development Authorities over the past three years — 245 in 2023–24, 147 in 2024–25, and 415 in 2025–26.
In a separate revelation, the Chief Minister informed the House that over 16,000 kanals of land under the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) are under illegal occupation. Out of the total 80,976 kanals and 10 marlas managed by JDA, 16,127 kanals and 10 marlas have been encroached upon.
Eviction drives are being carried out in a phased and time-bound manner, and laws against land encroachment are being strictly implemented, Omar Abdullah said while responding to a question raised by BJP MLA Dr Narinder Singh Raina.
Also read: J&K govt identifies over 5 lakh houseless families under PMAY-G
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