SRINAGAR, AUGUST 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has notified the Jammu and Kashmir Land Pooling Policy, 2026, aimed at facilitating planned urban development and infrastructure creation through the voluntary participation of landowners.
The policy was notified by the Housing and Urban Development Department through Government Order No. 172-JK(HUD) of 2026, dated August 17, 2026.
The policy seeks to address challenges associated with fragmented land holdings, inadequate infrastructure and uneven urban development by bringing landowners, developers and government agencies together for coordinated development.
Under the policy, landowners can voluntarily pool their land and participate as partners in the development process. The objective is to facilitate planned urban and infrastructure development while ensuring equitable participation and benefits for landowners.
A key provision of the policy is that a Developer Entity or Consortium may retain 60 per cent of the contiguous area, while the remaining 40 per cent is to be surrendered to the Development Authority for city-level physical infrastructure, recreational facilities and public and semi-public facilities in accordance with the Master Plan or Zonal Development Plans.
The 60 per cent retained area can be developed for planned residential, commercial, institutional and infrastructure purposes, including neighbourhood-level public and semi-public facilities, subject to applicable land-use norms and building bye-laws.
The policy provides that the developed land or built-up space will be redistributed among participating landowners according to mutually agreed terms incorporated in an Implementation Plan. The consent of all landowners will be required for such arrangements.
Land parcels of any size can be brought under the pooling mechanism, provided they fall within areas notified by the Development Organisation. However, the land offered for pooling must have valid and lawful ownership and physical possession and should be free from encumbrances.
A notified area becomes eligible for land pooling once a minimum of 70 per cent of the land within the contiguous area has been pooled.
The policy excludes unauthorised colonies yet to be regularised, land under litigation or acquisition proceedings until settlement, forests, grazing areas, natural drains and water bodies, heritage sites, and land under departments and agencies such as railways and airports, besides other parcels specifically excluded by the Government.
Development Authorities will be responsible for overall planning, including alignment with Master Plans and Zonal Development Plans, notification of rights of way, facilitation of the process through a Single Window System, and monitoring the provision of infrastructure such as water supply, sewerage, drainage, power and transportation.
Developer Entities intending to undertake a land pooling scheme will have to obtain a licence from the Development Authority and be registered promoters with JK RERA. They will also be required to aggregate land through the consent of landowners under legally binding agreements.
The policy also establishes a two-stage grievance redressal mechanism. The first-stage committee, headed by the Designated Land Pooling Officer, will be required to dispose of grievances within 30 days. Appeals against its decisions can be taken before a second-stage committee headed by the Vice Chairman/CEO of the Development Authority.
To promote transparency and efficiency, the Government intends to make the entire land pooling process online, with applications, permissions, approvals and related data to be processed digitally through a dedicated application. Until the online system becomes operational, applications may be processed manually and subsequently integrated into the digital system.
The policy also prescribes a defined timeline for implementation. Formation of a Consortium is to take place within 60 days, extendable by up to 30 days. The land pooling scheme is to be submitted for approval within six months of formation of the Consortium, while infrastructure and built-up development is to be completed within three years of handing over possession of the pooled land.
The cumulative timeframe for completion of a land pooling scheme cannot extend beyond five years from the date of formation of the Consortium.
The Government said the policy is intended to promote inclusive and sustainable urban development while ensuring that landowners, developers and public authorities work together to create modern, well-planned and economically vibrant urban spaces.
Comments are closed.