SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Saturday informed the Assembly that a proposal for establishment of a flagship IT Park in the Union Territory is currently under consideration, with plans to generate over 1,000 direct jobs within five years and expand the model to Tier-2 and Tier-3 areas.
The disclosure was made during discussions on the Demand for Grants for the Information Technology Department, where the Government outlined a phased roadmap for developing the proposed IT Park in Jammu as a regional technology hub.
According to the Government, the implementation plan envisages immediate activation in the first year by leveraging existing campus infrastructure, followed by infrastructure expansion over the next two to three years. The project framework emphasises a tripartite partnership between academia, industry and government to create a sustainable and innovation-driven ecosystem.
The proposed IT Park will focus on high-growth domains including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, defence technologies, renewable energy, healthcare technology and advanced manufacturing. It aims to position Jammu and Kashmir as a competitive destination for technology enterprises and startups through incubation support, shared research facilities and industry-aligned skill development programmes.
The Government said the initiative is expected to create more than 1,000 direct high-skilled jobs and several hundred indirect employment opportunities within five years of operationalisation.
Officials stated that the establishment of the IT Park depends on key enabling factors such as availability of suitable land, robust connectivity infrastructure, industry demand and overall project viability assessment. The proposal is presently under active consideration.
Beyond Jammu and Srinagar, the Government has planned to expand IT infrastructure under a “hub and spoke” model to Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns across the Union Territory in subsequent phases. Constituencies such as Akhnoor are proposed to be prioritised as part of inclusive regional development efforts, ensuring equitable distribution of technology-led growth and employment opportunities.
The Government reiterated its commitment to balanced regional development, stating that the IT Park initiative will serve as a catalyst for investment, innovation and youth employment across Jammu and Kashmir.
