Building over Srinagar’s future

Two conversations about the Himalayas are currently running concurrently, yet they are not converging. The consensus is that mountain towns are rapidly approaching their limits in various ways, including diminishing springs, congested lakes, and unstable slopes. It is a universally acknowledged principle that no hill town should approve large construction projects without first evaluating what the area can bear.

However, despite this well-established guideline, the developmental model in Jammu and Kashmir is proceeding in tandem.

Recent notifications and bills in the region are facilitating increased construction on more land. Srinagar is bearing the brunt of this trend. To illustrate, let us consider a basic concept: Floor Area Ratio (FAR) dictates the amount of floor space that can be constructed on a given plot. For instance, a plot measuring 100 square meters with an FAR of 200% would allow for 200 square meters of floor space.

As the FAR increases, more people, vehicles, toilets, drains, and other infrastructure must be accommodated within the same plot area.

In the past nine months alone, the rules governing construction have been subject to repeated alterations. On December 1, 2025, the building by-laws were amended. Subsequently, on July 24, 2026, these regulations were extended to Housing Board colonies, accompanied by increased FAR allowances and reduced setbacks. On September 9, new limits were proposed, including an FAR of 300% for commercial complexes.

Finally, on September 28, the Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, was introduced. The Lieutenant Governor granted his assent to the Bill in the first week of October, making it legally binding.