Jammu, February 13, 2026: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday informed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that the Town Planning Organisation (TPO) in Kashmir is functioning with only three town planners to cater to 40 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), highlighting a significant shortage of technical manpower.
In a written reply to legislator Sajad Gani Lone during the ongoing Budget session, the Chief Minister — who also holds charge of the Housing and Urban Development Department — stated that the current ratio of town planners to ULBs in Kashmir stands at 1:12.
The government said the 40 ULBs in the region comprise 10 Municipal Councils and 30 Municipal Committees.
Responding to a query on whether No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Town Planning Organisation are mandatory for developmental works, the government cited Section 203 of the Municipal Act, 2000, and the J&K Unified Building Bye-laws, 2021. It clarified that no construction or material alteration of any building can be undertaken without prior sanction from the concerned municipality.
Additionally, Clause 2.18 of the J&K Building Bye-laws mandates obtaining NOCs from relevant departments, including the Town Planning Organisation.
To another question on whether the government plans to deploy a resident architect or engineer in each local body, the reply was in the negative. However, the government stated that the Town Planning Organisation has been reorganised to create a district cadre aimed at supporting the preparation and implementation of master plans for towns.
The reply did not specify any timeline for filling existing vacancies or strengthening the workforce.
