Srinagar ,September 2,2026- UTHPSC urban transformation efforts have taken a major leap forward, with the Union Territory Level High Powered Steering Committee (UTHPSC), chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, approving three major urban development projects with a cumulative base cost of Rs 2,692.58 crore under the Government of India’s Urban Challenge Fund (UCF).
Senior Officials Attend Key Meeting
The meeting was attended by senior officers in the administration, including the ACS Tourism, ACS Finance, Principal Secretary Culture, Commissioner Secretary H&UDD, Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, Commissioner JMC/SMC, and other concerned officers.
Three Landmark Projects Identified
The approved projects include the Tawi Area Regeneration and Green Growth (TARANG) project in Jammu, the Walled City and Nigeen Lakefront Revitalisation project in Srinagar, and the Katra Revitalisation Through Integrated Pilgrimage Amenities (KRIPA) project in Reasi district. According to officials, the projects have been designed to combine public investment with market-linked financing and public-private partnership (PPP) models.
TARANG: Transforming Jammu’s Riverfront
The TARANG project, estimated at Rs 1,567.91 crore, proposes redevelopment of the Tawi riverfront and adjoining urban areas. The funding structure includes Rs 307.05 crore each from the Government of India and the Jammu and Kashmir government, while Rs 953.81 crore is proposed to be mobilised through market-linked financing and private participation. The project also provides for extensive structural and river-protection work, including a diaphragm wall, embankment filling, retaining wall with anchor slabs, and interceptor drainage infrastructure.
Reviving Srinagar’s Historic Core
The Walled City and Nigeen Lakefront Revitalization project, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,010.77 crore, seeks to rejuvenate Srinagar’s historic urban core and unlock the economic potential of its lakefront areas in the interiors of the historical city. Around Rs 300.77 crore will be deployed towards core public infrastructure and revitalisation of the historic city, while the PPP component will support development of a Hospitality Centre, Pokribal Lakefront, and a premium five-star boutique hotel.
KRIPA: Enhancing Pilgrimage Infrastructure in Katra
The KRIPA project in Reasi district is aimed at strengthening pilgrimage-related infrastructure and amenities in Katra, the base town for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The project additionally provides Rs 15.25 crore for institutional remodelling, including modern commercial office spaces, retail kiosks, and upgraded administrative facilities for the Municipal Committee, Katra, along with funding for upgrading the Committee’s broader office infrastructure.
A Market-Linked, Investment-Ready Approach
The three projects reflect the UCF’s emphasis on developing bankable, investment-ready urban projects by combining government support with market-based financing. The approach is aimed not only at creating modern urban infrastructure but also at ensuring that such assets generate sustainable economic activity and long-term revenue streams.
Focus on Timely and Sustainable Execution
The Committee has also laid emphasis on ensuring timely, quality, and financially sustainable execution of the approved projects. The initiatives are expected to significantly enhance urban infrastructure, mobility, tourism, and economic activity while creating new public spaces and investment opportunities across Jammu, Srinagar, and Katra.
A Step Toward New Economic Opportunities
Officials said the three projects, once completed, are expected to transform urban living standards, improve mobility, and boost tourism-linked economic activity across the three towns. By blending public funding with private investment and PPP models, the initiative aims to create self-sustaining urban assets capable of generating long-term revenue while addressing critical infrastructure gaps in some of Jammu and Kashmir’s most significant urban and pilgrimage centres.
As implementation begins, the UTHPSC’s approval marks a significant step in the Union Territory’s broader urban development strategy, positioning Jammu, Srinagar, and Katra for sustainable, investment-driven growth in the years ahead.