SRINAGAR – The Jammu and Kashmir administration is embarking on a bold urban development initiative, proposing the establishment of 30 satellite townships along the Semi-Ring Road encircling Srinagar. According to reports, these townships will require substantial land contributions from local owners, who will partner with private developers to transform their agricultural plots into urban settlements.
The proposed townships, stretching from Galander in Pampore to Ganderbal, are planned to occupy approximately 6,000 hectares (nearly 1.18 lakh kanals) of predominantly agricultural land. This has raised significant concerns about the socio-economic and environmental implications of the project. Media outlets report that landowners are already being approached to relinquish their land under the Jammu and Kashmir Land Pooling Policy 2024, which promises to compensate them with developed land or equivalent property.
Farmers and Residents Voice Concerns
The announcement has sparked a wave of dissent among local farmers and residents. Many fear losing their primary source of livelihood and are questioning the purpose and beneficiaries of these new urban clusters. A group of farmers recently met with the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, expressing their apprehensions about converting fertile agricultural fields into housing colonies.
Political parties, too, have joined the chorus of dissent. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded clarity on the townships’ intended residents and their alignment with Jammu and Kashmir’s Master Plan and land-use policies. PDP chief spokesperson Dr. Mehboob Beg criticized the government for sidelining local stakeholders, pointing out that the scheme risks displacing farmers and eroding a region already facing land scarcity.
Government’s Urban Vision
Despite the backlash, the administration defends the project as a step towards “planned urban growth.” The proposed townships aim to curb unregulated urban sprawl and enhance connectivity across six districts: Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Bandipora, and Baramulla. Revenue officials have already imposed a moratorium on construction and land sales within 500 meters of the road’s boundary, citing provisions under the Jammu and Kashmir Town Planning Act of 1963.
Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha formally approved the plans in March 2022, and groundwork for the townships began in October 2024. According to officials, the project represents a “win-win proposition,” promising enhanced land value for owners and orderly urban development.
Compensation Controversies
The land acquisition process has also drawn criticism for bypassing the RFCTLARR Act of 2013, a national law ensuring fair compensation for landowners. Instead, the government opted for an outdated state law, sparking allegations of inequitable treatment.
A Legacy Project?
The Semi-Ring Road, a 42.1 km stretch inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, has seen significant investment, escalating from ₹939.41 crore to ₹2,919 crore. The road, implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), comprises two phases: a 34.72 km four-lane segment from Galander to Narbal and a 27.2 km two-lane extension to Ganderbal. Once complete, the project will feature over 290 culverts, two flyovers, and a toll plaza at Narbal.
As the road nears completion, the associated townships have become a flashpoint of contention. While the government touts it as a transformative step towards modernization, critics argue that it risks alienating local communities and undermining the region’s agrarian economy. The coming months will reveal whether the project can balance development with equitable stakeholder engagement.
