Jammu, March 10: In a major push towards modernizing urban development in the Union Territory, the Jammu and Kashmir government has notified sweeping amendments to the Unified Building Bye-Laws (UBBL) 2021. Rolled out under the Jammu and Kashmir Development Act, 1970, and the J&K Municipal Act, 2000, these changes aim to streamline regulations, promote inclusive growth, and digitize approvals across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Development Authorities.
The reforms come at a critical juncture for J&K’s post-Article 370 economy, where real estate and infrastructure bottlenecks have long hindered investment. Officials describe the move as a “game-changer” for Ease of Doing Business, rationalizing complex development controls that previously stifled projects in cities like Srinagar, Jammu, and emerging hubs in the Kashmir Valley.
At the heart of the amendments are simplified land use regulations, which consolidate multiple sub-categories into just four broad primary uses: residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use. A standout provision allows Affordable Group Housing in industrial zones, optimizing land for low-income housing without compromising economic zones. This inclusive approach addresses J&K’s acute housing shortage, estimated at over 2 lakh units in urban areas.
Setback norms—mandatory open spaces around buildings—have been rationalized to reduce inefficiencies, while the Commercial Floor Area Ratio (FAR) has been boosted up to 400 (subject to specific norms). This elevation dramatically increases plot utilization, enabling taller structures and higher-density developments. For context, the previous FAR cap often limited projects to suboptimal scales, especially in land-scarce urban pockets.
Further easing economic activity, the minimum Right of Way (RoW) requirement for commercial and industrial projects has been halved from 12 meters to 6 meters. This is particularly beneficial for smaller towns and peri-urban areas, where narrow roads previously blocked retail and manufacturing expansions. “These tweaks will unlock economic potential in Tier-2 and Tier-3 urban centers, fostering job creation and local entrepreneurship,” said a senior official from the Housing and Urban Development Department.
Complementing the regulatory overhaul is the launch of the Auto Scrutiny Based Building Permission and Change of Land Use (CLU) portal at https://obps.jk.gov.in. Powered by Auto-Deemed-to-Construct-Ratio (Auto-DCR) technology, this fully digital platform promises a rule-based, time-bound system that slashes approval timelines from 60-90 days to just 30 days.
