J&K identifies 578 illegal constructions in tourist zones over three years

• Tourism authorities grant 807 building permissions across J&K, CM tells House
• Omar Abdullah says action taken against unauthorised structures in major tourist destinations
• GIS monitoring, audits and enforcement intensified in tourist areas across J&K

JAMMU, Apr 1: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday informed the Legislative Assembly that Tourism Development Authorities across the Union Territory granted 807 building permissions over the past three years, while 578 illegal constructions were identified in various tourist destinations during the same period.

Replying to a question raised by PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds charge of the Tourism Department, said that 245 building permissions were issued in 2023–24, 147 in 2024–25, and 415 in 2025–26.

Providing further details, the Chief Minister said that out of the total permissions granted, 544 were for residential houses, 121 for commercial buildings, 26 for hotels, 14 for huts and two for guesthouses. He also clarified that the registration of homestays is handled separately by the respective Directorates of Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Chief Minister informed the House that, at present, 2,613 homestays have been registered across the Union Territory, with a total bed capacity of 19,328, reflecting the steady growth of alternative tourism accommodation in the region.

On the issue of unauthorised constructions, Omar Abdullah said that several illegal structures have been detected in prominent tourist destinations and action has been initiated in accordance with law, including sealing, demolition and the imposition of penalties.

According to the official figures placed before the Assembly, 578 illegal constructions have been identified in tourist areas across Jammu and Kashmir. In Gulmarg, 21 illegal structures were found, of which 20 were sealed and one demolished. In Pahalgam, 28 unauthorised constructions were reported, with 13 sealed while action is continuing in the remaining cases.

In Patnitop, 15 illegal structures were demolished, while some other cases were stopped at the initial stage itself. In Verinag, four unauthorised constructions were penalised. In Doodhpathri, 147 illegal constructions were detected, with notices issued and FIRs registered in the matter. In Sonamarg, five illegal constructions were identified, while 358 notices were served in Bhaderwah.

The Chief Minister further said that GIS-based inventories of authorised constructions are being maintained in key tourist destinations such as Sonamarg, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, where approved Master Plans are already in force. In other tourist areas, geo-coordinates of proposed assets are being collected before permissions are granted to strengthen monitoring and regulatory oversight.

On the issue of scrutiny and accountability, the Chief Minister said that a special audit of illegal constructions in Pahalgam was conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General in 2025, and the report is still awaited. He added that audit and vigilance inquiries have also been carried out in Sonamarg, though their findings have not yet been formally communicated to the department.