JAMMU: The regularization of residential colonies in Jammu was initiated earlier, with the Jammu Development Authority having regularized 31 colonies, but this process was later halted by the high court, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated on Wednesday.
In response to a query from BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma in the Assembly regarding the regularization of unauthorized colonies, Abdullah, who also oversees the Housing and Urban Development Department, explained that this process adhered to various government directives issued from 1974 to 2009, along with court instructions from 2010.
“The regularization of residential colonies in Jammu began previously, and 31 colonies were already regularized by the JDA. However, the high court later stayed this process,” he commented.
As for future plans to create new residential colonies in Jammu, the Chief Minister indicated that they would be developed following land allocation, either through self-financing or via Public-Private Partnerships with agencies such as the Jammu Development Authority, Srinagar Development Authority, and Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board, contingent upon approval from their respective boards.
Regarding the Janipur Housing Colony, the government clarified that it was established in 1973 and developed by the Jammu Development Authority, thus no regularization is required as the plots were duly allotted.
On the subject of commercial enterprises within residential areas of Jammu city, the government stated that no permits are granted in breach of regulations. Nonetheless, Abdullah noted that approximately 39 cases of residential buildings being transformed into commercial establishments were reported between January 1 and December 31, 2025, within the Jammu Municipal Corporation jurisdiction.
Abdullah mentioned that the Jammu Municipal Corporation acted against offenders in accordance with the Municipal Corporation Act, 2000, and building bye-laws.
