JAMMU: Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday inaugurated two major digital platforms developed by the Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD) to enhance transparency, efficiency and ease of doing business in urban governance across the Union Territory.
The platforms launched include the Auto Scrutiny-based Building Permission and Change of Land Use (CLU) Portal, integrated with GIS-based Master Plans using AutoDCR technology, and the Unified Web Portal of the Housing & Urban Development Department, J&K.
The Auto Scrutiny-based Building Permission and CLU Portal marks a significant reform in the building approval process and is described as a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country combining automation, spatial intelligence and regulatory compliance on a single digital platform.
The system uses AutoDCR technology to automatically scrutinise AutoCAD drawings submitted by applicants and instantly verify their compliance with the J&K Unified Building Bye-Laws (UBBL), 2021, its amendments and relevant Master Plan regulations.
The portal is also integrated with GIS-based Master Plans of Urban Local Bodies, allowing the system to automatically fetch land-use details for every plot. This integration helps eliminate manual errors and ensures zoning compliance from the initial stage of application submission.
The platform provides automated scrutiny of building plans, algorithm-based randomisation and auto-escalation of applications to ensure adherence to regulatory timelines. It also offers a single-window system for submission of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from multiple departments.
Officials said the system will also enable architects, draftsmen and engineers to participate in the approval process through digital workflows, thereby improving efficiency and transparency in building permission processes across urban local bodies.
During the event, the Chief Secretary also launched the Unified Web Portal of the Housing & Urban Development Department, developed under the National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.
The portal serves as a single digital gateway for accessing information, services and various digital platforms related to urban governance in Jammu and Kashmir.
It integrates several departmental initiatives including the UPYOG (Urban Platform for Delivery of Online Governance) systems. One of the key initiatives is the NMAM-based Finance and Accounting Module for Urban Local Bodies, which introduces an accrual-based double-entry accounting system for digital financial management of municipalities.
The module enables real-time recording of municipal financial transactions, automated preparation of financial statements, online audit facilities and monitoring of fund utilisation through digital dashboards.
The unified portal also highlights the upcoming mobile-based revenue collection system for Urban Local Bodies. The system will allow QR code-based digital payments for municipal services such as sanitation charges, water tanker charges, trade licences and other municipal dues.
Payments will be supported through UPI, Bharat BillPay, digital wallets and other online payment gateways, ensuring transparent and cashless transactions. The platform will generate automated digital receipts, provide real-time revenue monitoring dashboards and integrate with the finance and accounting system for automatic accounting entries.
Officials from H&UDD said the digital revenue collection system will help eliminate revenue pilferage, improve transparency in municipal collections and strengthen the financial sustainability of Urban Local Bodies.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo said these initiatives mark a significant step towards the digital transformation of urban governance in Jammu and Kashmir by enabling faster service delivery, improved regulatory compliance and better citizen engagement.
The launch event was attended by the Commissioner Secretary H&UDD, Commissioner of Jammu Municipal Corporation, Vice Chairman of Jammu Development Authority, Special Secretary H&UDD, Director Urban Local Bodies Jammu, Chief Town Planner Jammu, Chief Architect J&K, Chief Information Security Officer H&UDD and other senior officials.
The new digital platforms are expected to play a key role in empowering citizens, strengthening governance and transforming urban development across the Union Territory.
