Budgam, Sep 25: Doodhpathri, developed as an eco-tourism destination through a dedicated development authority, is facing a widening gap between planned development, regulatory control and the implementation of long-term planning, with official records showing crores of rupees spent on infrastructure, 147 unauthorized constructions flagged and a fresh Master Plan exercise still underway in 2026.
The Doodhpathri Development Authority’s official records show that ₹10.3352 crore was spent under a centrally sponsored scheme against an approved amount of ₹11.9409 crore, while ₹3.177 crore was booked as expenditure under the State Capex Budget against an approved ₹3.2837 crore.
The Authority’s published objectives include development of Doodhpathri as an ecotourism destination, preservation of its natural and cultural ecology and creation of tourist infrastructure including public conveniences, shelter sheds, accommodation, medical facilities, viewpoints and roadside facilities.
However, the Authority’s public project information continues to carry references to completion targets for 2021-22 and states that its assets were to be outsourced during that financial year.
A Draft Master Plan for Doodhpathri is also available on the official Budgam district website, dated December 16, 2020.
Despite the availability of the draft plan, the district administration in April 2026 directed departments to undertake GIS-based mapping, ground demarcation, detailed surveys, digitization and ground-truthing as part of the process for finalizing the Master Plan for the notified Doodhpathri area.
The development authority’s regulatory environment has also come under scrutiny.
The government told the Legislative Assembly in April that 147 unauthorized constructions had been identified in Doodhpathri, with notices issued and FIRs registered. The figure was the highest among the major Kashmir tourist destinations listed in the government response.
The government said GIS-based inventories of authorized constructions were being maintained in tourist areas where approved Master Plans were in place, while in other areas geo-coordinates of proposed assets were being collected for monitoring and regulatory oversight.
The planning exercise is continuing even as further funds are being committed for tourism infrastructure. A Parliamentary committee recorded allocations of ₹26.24 crore under the State Capex Budget and ₹20.33 crore under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for development of infrastructure at Kokernag, Bhaderwah, Doodhpathri and adjoining areas.
The committee, while noting the development of emerging destinations, also stressed the need for adequate infrastructure, waste management, carrying-capacity assessment, connectivity improvement and local community participation.
In September 2026, the Tourism Department also invited bids for preparation of GIS-based Master Plans for Tourism Development Authorities across Jammu and Kashmir, with Doodhpathri included in one of the project clusters.
The records do not by themselves establish that the Doodhpathri Development Authority was responsible for the unauthorized constructions or that funds were misused. They do, however, show that substantial public expenditure has been recorded over the years while basic planning, mapping and regulatory challenges remain part of the destination’s ongoing development process. [KNT]
