JAMMU, MARCH 12, KDC: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today reviewed a comprehensive roadmap for establishing future-ready IT Parks in Jammu and Kashmir in a phased manner, aimed at strengthening the Union Territory’s technology ecosystem, creating employment opportunities and building institutional capacity to meet future technological challenges.
Those who were present includes Secretary, IT; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; CEO, JaKeGA and other concerned officers of the Department.
While reviewing the proposal, the Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of laying a strong preliminary foundation for taking such initiatives to their logical conclusion in Jammu and Kashmir.
He observed that technology will play a defining role in shaping the future economy, and therefore it is imperative for the Union Territory to invest in building future-ready human resources, technology infrastructure and institutional mechanisms capable of responding to emerging global challenges.
The Chief Secretary further stressed that the initiative would help create new employment avenues for the youth, strengthen the start-up ecosystem and attract technology companies to the region, thereby positioning Jammu and Kashmir as an emerging hub for innovation and digital growth.
He directed the concerned departments to work in close coordination with IIT Jammu to ensure timely implementation of the proposed phases and development of the required ecosystem for technology-led growth in the Union Territory.
At the outset, Secretary, Information Technology, Dr Piyush Singla presented the background of the initiative and highlighted the progress achieved so far towards setting up technology-driven innovation infrastructure in the Union Territory.
During the meeting, Prof. Arvind of IIT Jammu presented a detailed plan for establishing an Innovation and Research Park beginning from the campus of IIT Jammu and subsequently expanding to other locations across the UT.
It was informed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed initiative has already been approved by the Board of Governors of IIT Jammu on January 5, 2026, while the Government of Jammu & Kashmir has accorded in-principle approval for collaboration in this initiative.
The project envisages a phased development strategy to gradually build a robust IT and innovation ecosystem in the region.
Explaining it was revealed that Under Phase-I, scheduled to be launched during May–June 2026, about 50,000 square feet of existing built-up space within the IIT Jammu campus will be upgraded and developed to initiate operations of the proposed IT and innovation park.
Phase-II will involve construction of approximately 120,000 square feet of additional infrastructure, with work proposed to begin during 2026 and targeted for completion by 2028. For Phase-III, the project proposes expansion of the IT Park outside the campus, enabling larger scale industry participation and technology-driven growth.
During the presentation, it was informed that a land parcel hasbeen identified in Kashmir Division too for expansion of this park under next phase. Additionally, land is proposed to be identified in Jammu for expansion of the park in close proximity to the existing IIT Jammu campus.
The proposed Innovation Research Park (Phase-B) at IIT Jammu is planned with a built-up area of over 11,000 square metres, including multiple functional floors designed to accommodate innovation labs, technology companies, start-ups and research collaborations. The facility with supporting spaces aims at fostering research-industry partnerships and technology incubation. (KDC)
