SRINAGAR: The Union Territory Level High Powered Steering Committee (UTHPSC), chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, has approved three urban development projects with a combined base cost of ₹2,692.58 crore under the Government of India’s Urban Challenge Fund (UCF).
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.
The TARANG project, estimated at ₹1,567.91 crore, proposes redevelopment of the Tawi riverfront and adjoining urban areas. The funding structure includes ₹307.05 crore each from the Government of India and the Jammu and Kashmir government, while ₹953.81 crore is proposed to be mobilised through market and PPP financing.
The project includes plans for residential housing, a hotel, retail infrastructure, road connectivity and tourism-related facilities, along with river protection and drainage works.
The Walled City and Nigeen Lakefront Revitalisation project in Srinagar has an estimated cost of ₹1,010.77 crore. Officials said the project aims to upgrade infrastructure in Srinagar’s historic core and develop tourism-related facilities around the Nigeen lakefront. The proposal includes investment in public infrastructure as well as hospitality and lakefront development through PPP components.
The KRIPA project in Katra, estimated at ₹113.90 crore, focuses on improving pilgrim facilities, traffic management and civic infrastructure. Key components include a multi-storey gateway centre with accommodation facilities, retail spaces, dining areas and prayer facilities, as well as a multi-level parking complex with capacity for 365 equivalent car spaces and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The project also includes funding for upgrading office infrastructure and facilities of the Municipal Committee, Katra.
Officials said the projects are intended to attract institutional and private investment while strengthening urban infrastructure, tourism facilities and economic activity in Jammu, Srinagar and Katra.
The committee also stressed the need for timely execution, quality control and financial sustainability during implementation of the approved projects.
