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JAMMU, April 2: More than 300 development projects in Jammu and Kashmir have received forest clearances, unlocking progress in road networks, water supply, tourism, defense, and 4G expansion.
Between January and March, 302 cases were granted final approval, while 84 received in-principle clearance, addressing long-standing infrastructure gaps. Delays in land acquisition and forest approvals had previously stalled many of these projects, leading to cost overruns.
Key road and highway projects cleared include the remaining patch of Package-17 of the Delhi-Katra Expressway, the Kishtwar-Nildori-Bangus-Gali-Lokut-Bangus Dangiyari Road in Kupwara, and the Jallary to Badharket Khaitan road in Poonch. These roads will enhance connectivity and improve the movement of people and goods.
Additionally, 271 water supply schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission have been approved across seven districts, ensuring clean drinking water in rural and remote areas. To boost digital connectivity, 11 proposals for communication towers and four for laying optical fiber cables have been sanctioned across eight districts.
In compliance with the Forest (Conservation) Act, compensatory afforestation will be undertaken to mitigate environmental impact. These clearances follow discussions in New Delhi between J&K Minister Javed Ahmed Rana and Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Bhupender Yadav.
Rana emphasized balancing development with sustainability, ensuring that forest land diverted for projects is compensated with afforestation efforts. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernizing infrastructure while minimizing environmental disruption.
