Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
The Jammu and Kashmir Government is facing an interest demand of Rs 3.84 crore from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) over delayed payment of premium for land acquired at Dwarka, even as the Union Territory moves ahead with plans to construct a new J&K House there and redevelop its existing property at 5-Prithviraj Road.
The DDA raised a demand of Rs 3,83,58,527 on September 1, 2026, towards interest on delayed payment of the premium for the Dwarka land.
The Hospitality and Protocol Department, in its reply to a question raised by MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone, said the government has sought a detailed breakup from the DDA, including the period of delay, applicable interest rates and the basis of calculation, before taking further action.
The question sought details of J&K Government properties and assets located outside the Union Territory and measures being taken for their development, utilisation and protection.
The government has acquired 0.786 acre of land in Sector 19, Dwarka, from the DDA on perpetual leasehold basis for construction of a new J&K House. The estimated cost of the land is Rs 36.05 crore.
The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has been approved as the executing agency for the project.
A draft Memorandum of Understanding submitted by CPWD has been legally vetted by the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Department and sent to the Finance Department for further vetting.
CPWD has already received Rs 4.68 lakh for carrying out a topographical survey and soil investigation. Both exercises have been completed and the report submitted to the Resident Commissioner’s Office in New Delhi.
The next stages include preparation of the Detailed Project Report, Administrative Approval and Expenditure Sanction, Technical Sanction and other requisite clearances. Execution of the lease deed with the DDA is also linked to the construction process.
The government is also examining a proposal for limited redevelopment of its property at 5-Prithviraj Road, where J&K owns 41 kanals and 12 marlas, or approximately 5.20 acres.
The proposal submitted by PWD (R&B), Sub-Division III, New Delhi, envisages demolition of the existing staff quarters and construction of a new guest house block.
The proposed facility would include diplomatic suites, 15 deluxe rooms and 10 executive rooms.
The proposal is currently under examination. Further action will depend on approval by the competent authority and availability of funds.
J&K’s property portfolio in the national capital includes several other strategically located properties.
These include the J&K Guest House at Chanakyapuri, spread over 11 kanals and 18.2 marlas, and Kashmir House at Rajaji Marg, spread over 114 kanals and 11.2 marlas.
Of the Rajaji Marg property, around 18 kanals are in J&K Government possession, while approximately 96 kanals are occupied by the Ministry of Defence.
The government also owns the BR-II premises at Shalimar Bagh, measuring 4,000 square metres, and property at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, measuring 362.68 square metres.
J&K also holds government properties in Chandigarh, Amritsar and Mumbai, besides its ongoing project at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai.
In Chandigarh, the government owns SCO Nos. 28–31 in Sector 17A, covering 679.43 square metres. The property has been identified for conversion into a J&K Guest House after the earlier guest house at Sector 5/37 was allotted to the Union Territory of Ladakh.
In Amritsar, J&K owns a 19-kanal property on Court Road, besides 32 kanals and nine marlas of land at Daim Ganj/Tapai Road.
The latter property has been involved in prolonged litigation and encroachment proceedings. The government said major portions measuring 24 kanals and four marlas have been recovered, while proceedings concerning the remaining eight kanals and five marlas are continuing.
J&K’s property holdings in Mumbai include government land measuring approximately 5,802 square yards at 19 L.D. Ruparel Marg, formerly known as 10 Napean Sea Road.
The property was leased following a 1979 Cabinet decision and subsequent government order. The land was initially leased in 1981 and subsequently formalised through a registered lease deed in 2002 in favour of M/s Samnagur Investment Pvt. Ltd., the nominee/assignee of M/s Sanghvi Construction Pvt. Ltd.
The 90-year lease carried a premium of Rs 205 lakh and annual ground rent of Rs 5 lakh.
The government has stated that a portion of the leased premises was occupied by Union Bank of India without its consent or authorisation, which it considers a violation of the lease conditions.
The matter has been referred for legal action. The Law Department has advised finalisation of a legal notice through the concerned counsel.
