J&K Govt grants green clearance to over 300 development projects
The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday announced that over 300 development projects, previously stalled due to pending clearances, have now received final forest clearance, marking a significant push to infrastructure and economic growth in the Union Territory. A government spokesperson described the approvals as “a significant push to infrastructure and economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Officials stated that these clearances cover key projects related to road networks, water supply schemes, tourism, defence and 4G saturation. “These approvals will pave the way for enhanced connectivity, economic progress and improved public services,” the spokesperson said.
According to official data, a total of 302 cases have received final approval, while 84 cases have received in-principle approval between January and March this year. “This signifies the government’s broader vision of development, prioritising projects that address long-standing infrastructural gaps and further improve public services,” the spokesperson added.
Officials cited delays in land acquisition and forest clearances as major reasons for stalled projects, often resulting in cost overruns. “The diversion of forest land will support construction and improvement of roadways, including highways and local roads. These roads are vital for enhancing connectivity and facilitating the movement of people and goods across Jammu and Kashmir,” the spokesperson said.
Among the major road and highway projects that received recent approvals are the clearance of the remaining patch of Package-17 of the Delhi-Katra Expressway in Jammu and the Kishtwar-Nildori-Bangus-Gali-Lokut-Bangus Dangiyari Road in Kupwara district, a project undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
Officials assured that in compliance with the Forest (Conservation) Act, compensatory afforestation will be carried out to mitigate environmental impacts. Reforestation of degraded forest lands is planned to maintain ecological balance while facilitating infrastructure expansion. The approvals follow a high-level meeting in January 2025 between J&K Minister Javed Ahmed Rana and Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi. During the meeting, Rana had urged the Centre to expedite over 400 pending forest clearance cases linked to various infrastructure projects. The Union Minister assured that the proposals would be prioritised, with necessary steps taken for speedy approvals and fund allocations.
Rana reiterated the government’s commitment to modernising infrastructure and expanding growth opportunities across Jammu and Kashmir. He also directed authorities to undertake aggressive compensatory afforestation to counteract any potential ecological imbalances caused by development projects.
