SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has allocated Rs 351 crore under capital expenditure for the disaster management sector in the Budget 2026–27, signalling a policy shift towards mitigation, preparedness and technology-driven response, while continuing relief and rehabilitation measures for displaced populations.
In the Budget speech, the government announced the creation of a Disaster Risk Mitigation Fund for the first time, with an initial corpus of Rs 39 crore. The fund is aimed at strengthening resilience against natural calamities, with guidelines currently under finalisation. Six priority projects have also been identified under the National Landslide Risk Mitigation Programme to enable timely preventive measures in vulnerable areas.
To enhance disaster response capacity, state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Centres are being constructed across Jammu and Kashmir, while District Emergency Operations Centres are being set up in all 20 districts. A Union Territory-level Emergency Operations Centre is also coming up at Ompora in Budgam and will function as the central command and control hub for disaster management operations.
The Budget proposals are reinforced by findings in the Economic Survey 2025–26, which note that Jammu and Kashmir is strengthening its disaster management and rehabilitation framework to minimise loss of life, infrastructure, livelihoods and environmental assets, while addressing the socio-economic needs of internally displaced persons.
According to the Survey, early warning alerts are being disseminated through the Common Alerting Protocol across multiple platforms, including SMS, cell broadcast, radio, television and digital media. The system was successfully deployed during the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2025, significantly enhancing public safety and preparedness.
The Survey further states that the government has issued over 1.64 lakh domicile certificates and 36,541 migrant certificates for employment and education purposes, along with other category certificates, to migrants and displaced persons.
Looking ahead, the government plans to establish a State Emergency Operations Centre in Jammu district, set up an Institute of Disaster Management, undertake hazard and micro-zonation mapping, and carry out vulnerability assessments. Capacity building of around 1.5 lakh citizens, volunteers and students is also proposed, with Union Territory and district disaster management plans aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Together, the Budget announcements and the Economic Survey underline an integrated approach combining infrastructure development, technology adoption and social rehabilitation to address Jammu and Kashmir’s disaster risk landscape.
