In a startling disclosure, an RTI application has revealed that more than 16,000 Kanals of land belonging to the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) is under illegal occupation by private individuals and land mafias. This accounts for over 20% of JDA’s total land holdings, raising serious concerns about encroachment and land management in the region.
The information as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust came to light through an RTI query filed by Jammu-based activist Raman Sharma. In response, JDA Secretary and Public Information Officer (PIO) Vishavjeet Singh, via Office Letter No. JDA/RTI/PIO/2025/79/17 dated March 4, 2025, admitted that out of JDA’s total land holdings of 80,976 Kanals and 10 Marlas, a staggering 16,467 Kanals and 10 Marlas are under illegal possession. Presently, only 65,508 Kanals remain under JDA’s actual control, indicating a 20.34% encroachment.
The RTI response further detailed that JDA owns 68,992 Kanals and 11 Marlas in Jammu district and 11,983 Kanals and 19 Marlas in Samba district. However, despite the government’s claims of anti-encroachment drives, the RTI reply failed to provide any records of land retrieved between 2015 and 2025, simply stating: “Record Not Available.”
Furthermore, the RTI response revealed that JDA is entangled in 635 legal battles, including 212 cases in subordinate courts, 422 in the J&K High Court, and one case pending in the Supreme Court of India. [KNT]
