JAMMU, Feb 18: The Jammu & Kashmir government has disclosed significant hurdles impeding industrial expansion at the strategically vital Balole Industrial Estate in Bari Brahmana tehsil, Samba district, where out of 522 kanals of prime land earmarked for development since 2016, only a fraction—86 kanals and 10 marlas—remains under the physical possession of the Jammu and Kashmir State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (SIDCO), hampered by persistent encroachments on 150 kanals and bureaucratic delays in transferring the remaining 285.5 kanals from Revenue authorities.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary provided this detailed status update in a written assembly reply to BJP MLA Chander Prakash Ganga’s pointed query on the project’s progress, shedding light on a decade-long saga of administrative bottlenecks that have frustrated local entrepreneurs and stalled economic momentum in one of J&K’s key industrial hubs. Choudhary traced the timeline: SIDCO first identified the 522-kanal parcel in 2016 for comprehensive development, securing board approval by August 3, 2017, which enabled preliminary plot allotments to industrialists even before formal land transfer from the Revenue Department—a pragmatic move to kickstart momentum amid J&K’s post-2019 investment drive.
A pivotal Government Order dated December 1, 2023, finally formalized the transfer of all 522 kanals to the Industries & Commerce Department, marking a long-overdue administrative milestone. However, implementation has lagged: only 236 kanals and 10 marlas were officially handed over to SIDCO for allotment to entrepreneurs, and of this, physical possession has been secured on just 86 kanals and 10 marlas. The Deputy CM highlighted that the encroached 150 kanals within this handed-over portion pose dual threats—not only blocking further infrastructure development like roads, utilities, and boundary walls but also fueling potential law-and-order flashpoints as clearance operations unfold in a politically sensitive border district.
Despite these challenges, progress isn’t entirely stalled: 37 industrial units have already taken possession of cleared plots, greenlit through the efficient Single Window Clearance Committee system designed to streamline approvals and attract investments under J&K’s investor-friendly policies. These operational units underscore Balole’s potential as a manufacturing node, leveraging Samba’s proximity to Jammu city, national highways, and rail links for export-oriented growth in sectors like pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, and light engineering.
Choudhary assured the House that swift action is underway to resolve the impasse: Revenue authorities are being pressed to expedite the handover of the pending 285.5 kanals to the Directorate of Industries & Commerce, Jammu, paving the way for SIDCO to resume allotments. Once cleared, this would unlock fresh opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), generating thousands of jobs and aligning with the UT’s ambitious targets under the New Industrial Policy to transform Samba into J&K’s industrial powerhouse.
The revelations come amid broader scrutiny of land acquisition delays across J&K’s industrial estates, where encroachments—often linked to historical disputes or informal settlements—have repeatedly derailed development. Critics argue that stronger enforcement under the J&K Land Revenue Act, coupled with anti-encroachment drives and digital land record verification via the Integrated Land Records Management System (ILRMS), could prevent such recurring issues. For now, Balole’s partial functionality serves as both a success story for 37 units and a cautionary tale on the need for coordinated inter-departmental action to realize J&K’s industrial vision.
