J&K building permission portal defunct since Dec, construction hit; residents seek early restoration

Srinagar, March 29: Residents across Jammu and Kashmir have raised concerns over the non-functional online portal for building permissions, stating that the system has remained largely inoperative since December 1, 2025, affecting both residential and commercial construction activities.

According to residents, the portal—mandated for submission and processing of building permission applications in municipal areas—has prevented applicants from filing new cases or tracking previously submitted applications for several months.

The issue has continued despite the launch of a revised portal on March 20, 2026, by the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir. Residents alleged that the updated system is also not functioning properly, leaving a number of applications pending without progress.

Applicants said the disruption has led to delays in construction projects and caused financial losses. They added that in the absence of an alternative mechanism, construction-related activities have slowed down in several areas.

“We have not been able to submit applications or follow up on pending cases. The delay is affecting our work,” a resident said.

Residents have urged the authorities to restore the portal at the earliest or introduce an interim offline system to process applications until the digital platform becomes fully operational.

They said the absence of a functional system has created difficulties for individuals seeking approvals for building projects, and called for immediate intervention to address the issue.

Officials could not be reached for comment on the matter.

Residents expressed hope that the authorities would take steps to resolve the issue and ensure a streamlined process for granting building permissions.