Jammu, Feb 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Government is pushing ahead with plans to expand its official infrastructure in major metropolitan centres, including Delhi and Mumbai, while its proposed redevelopment of the property at Prithviraj Road continues to face strict heritage restrictions.
Replying to a question by legislator Irfan Hafiz Lone in the Assembly, the minister in charge of the Hospitality & Protocol Department said redevelopment of the J&K House site remains a priority but is complicated by its location within the Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone. Because the main structure is heritage-designated, the project requires clearance from the Prime Minister’s Office and bars structural alterations to the original building.
Ancillary structures—including staff quarters and a PWD office—fall within a nine-metre no-construction buffer and may have to be demolished. Officials are consulting executing agencies to identify viable models that balance regulatory compliance with the need for expanded accommodation.
By contrast, new projects outside central Delhi are progressing quickly. A proposal is being prepared for a new J&K Bhawan in Dwarka, with options under consideration including execution through the Central Public Works Department or EPC mode. Another Detailed Project Report is being drafted for a Bhawan on government land in Navi Mumbai. Budget allocations include ₹125 lakh for the Mumbai project and ₹2,090 lakh for the Dwarka facility in the current fiscal year.
Updates were also shared on other properties. In Chandigarh, work has begun to convert an SCO building into a full-fledged J&K House with an outlay of ₹640 lakh. At Rajaji Marg, redevelopment and phased reconstruction of staff quarters are underway with revised estimates of ₹3,661.50 lakh. At Chanakyapuri, officials said new construction is not feasible due to space constraints.
Meanwhile, construction of additional facilities on vacant land in Amritsar is under consideration.
The minister said expansion of official accommodation outside the Union Territory will proceed in phases, subject to finalisation of project reports and statutory approvals.
