Srinagar, Feb 20 (KNO): The government on Friday said it has proposed expansion and redevelopment of Jammu and Kashmir Houses across major cities, with an outlay of Rs 36.61 crore allocated in the 2025- 26 financial year.
Responding to Congress MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone's query in the Assembly, the Minister Incharge, said Rs 47.51 crore was initially allocated under the 2025- 26 Budget Estimates for the redevelopment and expansion of J&K Houses. The outlay was later revised to Rs 36.61 crore.
The minister, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said a new J&K House has been proposed in Dwarka on land already acquired by the Union Territory. The project has received the highest allocation. The revised outlay for Dwarka stands at Rs 20.90 crore. Different execution models, including CPWD, EPC and PSU modes, are under examination, and a comprehensive proposal is being finalised.
In Navi Mumbai, where land has been acquired at Kharghar, the government is preparing a Detailed Project Report for the construction of J and K Bhawan. The executing agency is yet to be finalised.
At 5 Prithviraj Road in New Delhi, the redevelopment and upgradation of the existing structure is at an advanced stage of preparation. The property falls within the Lutyens Bungalow Zone and includes a heritage building. The minister said no structural changes can be made to the heritage structure, and any redevelopment will follow prescribed norms and require statutory approvals.
At Chanakyapuri in New Delhi, no new construction is feasible due to space constraints. However, redevelopment and upgradation of existing accommodation have been carried out.
At Rajaji Marg, which also falls in the Lutyens Bungalow Zone, reconstruction of staff accommodation has begun in phases in line with regulatory norms.
In Chandigarh, the conversion of an existing SCO building into J&K House has commenced. In Amritsar, the construction of additional structures on available vacant land is under consideration.
The minister further informed that the projects will be taken up in phases after obtaining statutory clearances, finalising DPRs and appointing executing agencies—(KNO)