Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Thursday 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.
Reviwing the proposal Chief Secretary highlighted the necessity of establishing a solid foundation for initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the pivotal role of technology in shaping the future economy. He underscored the need for the Union Territory to invest in developing human resources, technology infrastructure, and institutional frameworks to address global challenges effectively. This initiative is expected to generate new employment opportunities for youth, enhance the start-up ecosystem, and attract technology firms, positioning Jammu and Kashmir as a burgeoning hub for innovation and digital advancement. During the meeting, Secretary of Information Technology, Dr. Piyush Singla, provided an overview of the initiative’s background and the progress made towards creating a technology-driven innovation infrastructure. Prof. Arvind from IIT Jammu presented a comprehensive plan for establishing an Innovation and Research Park, starting at the IIT Jammu campus and expanding throughout the Union Territory. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this initiative received approval from the IIT Jammu Board of Governors on January 5, 2026, with the Jammu & Kashmir Government granting in-principle approval for collaboration. The project will be developed in phases, with Phase-I set to launch in May–June 2026, focusing on upgrading 50,000 square feet of existing space at IIT Jammu for the IT and innovation park. Phase-II will involve constructing an additional 120,000 square feet of infrastructure, with work commencing in 2026 and completion targeted for 2028. Phase-III aims to expand the IT Park beyond the campus to facilitate greater industry participation and technology-driven growth, with land identified for expansion in both the Kashmir Division and near the IIT Jammu campus. The proposed Innovation Research Park (Phase-B) at IIT Jammu will encompass over 11,000 square meters, featuring multiple functional floors designed for innovation labs, technology companies, start-ups, and research collaborations. This facility aims to foster partnerships between research and industry, promoting technology incubation and development.
