Srinagar, Mar 22: The government of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday said that no policy or exemption is being granted for obtaining building permissions for PMAY beneficiaries or local residents within the jurisdiction of the Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA).
In response to a question by Altaf Ahmad Wani, the Minister in charge of Tourism, in a written reply, said, “There is no policy or exemption being granted in obtaining building permissions for the PMAY beneficiaries or local residents within PDA jurisdiction. Every person intending to undertake or carry out development of any site has to seek permission from the PDA/Building Operations Controlling Authority (BOCA).”
The government also said that the JKTDC unit Pahalgam Club & Convention Centre (PC&CC) and Pahalgam Hutments are in the process of being outsourced through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The initiative is being undertaken by the Outsourcing Committee constituted via Government Order No. 645-JK (GAD) of 2023 dated 01.06.2023.
On query about simplifying the process of obtaining NOCs for new constructions and home stays, the government said, “Pahalgam Development Authority has launched an online building permission portal (obps-pdapahalgam.nic.in) for processing all building permission cases and NOCS thereof which has made the process smooth and hassle-free. Regarding issuance of NOCS for home stays, Director Tourism Kashmir/Jammu is the registering authority, and both directorates have set up a fully functional online portal for the purpose.”
The government also said that JKTDC regularly upgrades its hutments using Capex Budget funds. “During 2024-25, two works have been proposed under the Capex Budget, with further repairs planned for 2025-26 subject to availability of funds.”
In response to whether areas like Dudhal, Dodhward, Bajipathri, and Dhanvat are being explored for tourism development, the government said, “The Department of Tourism shall consider developing these areas after assessing the tourism potential of these areas, necessary approvals, and subject to availability of funds.”
