368 housing units inaugurated in Pulwama at ₹90 crore for Darbar Move staff
Synopsis
J&K CM Omar Abdullah has inaugurated a ₹90.65 crore, 368-unit housing complex in Pulwama — built specifically for Darbar Move government employees who had been struggling with accommodation for years. The project's timing is deliberate: top government offices just shifted back to Srinagar on 4 May 2026, reviving a 150-year-old practice scrapped in 2021, and the demand for staff housing is immediate.
Key Takeaways
CM Omar Abdullah inaugurated 368 residential units at Sempora, Pulwama on 21 May 2026 .
The project was built by the Estates Department at a cost of ₹90.65 crore across 23 blocks .
Units include modern 2BHK and 3BHK accommodations with solar water-heating and effluent treatment facilities.
The complex primarily serves government employees linked to the Darbar Move , revived on 4 May 2026 after being discontinued in 2021 .
The government has committed to expanding employee residential infrastructure in phases across Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday, 21 May 2026, inaugurated 368 residential units at Sempora in Pampore area of Pulwama district, built at a cost of over ₹90 crore to address long-standing accommodation challenges faced by government employees associated with the annual Darbar Move. The project marks a significant step in the J&K administration's push to improve employee welfare infrastructure in the Kashmir Valley.
Project Details
Constructed by the Estates Department at an estimated cost of ₹90.65 crore, the housing complex spans 23 blocks and offers modern 2BHK and 3BHK residential accommodations. The units are equipped with eco-friendly features including solar water-heating systems and effluent treatment facilities, designed to ensure sustainable and efficient residential infrastructure for occupants.
Who Benefits and Why It Matters
Government employees linked to the Darbar Move are the primary beneficiaries, many of whom had been grappling with accommodation difficulties in recent years. The complex is expected to reduce dependence on private housing, improve living standards, and strengthen residential security for employees and their families. Officials noted that completion of the project would substantially ease housing constraints in the region.
The Darbar Move Context
The project carries added significance given the revival of the Darbar Move — the over 150-year-old practice of shifting top government offices between Srinagar and Jammu on a seasonal basis. The practice had been discontinued in 2021 by the then Lieutenant Governor-led administration. Following public demand and in line with its electoral commitment, the Omar Abdullah-led government revived it; top government offices shifted to Srinagar on 4 May 2026 to function from the summer capital for the next six months. The revival has directly increased demand for residential facilities in Srinagar and its adjoining districts.
Government's Commitment
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said his government remained committed to providing adequate family accommodation to employees across Jammu and Kashmir. He added that residential infrastructure for employees would be expanded in phases across the Union Territory, with employee welfare remaining a stated priority of his administration.
Additional Chief Secretary, Estates, Shaleen Kabra, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Dr Basharat Qayoom, and other senior officials were present at the inauguration. With phased expansion of employee housing planned, the Sempora complex is expected to serve as a template for similar projects across J&K.
Point of View
And the government now needs to demonstrate it can manage the logistical weight that comes with it — starting with housing. What is less clear is whether ₹90.65 crore for 368 units, averaging roughly ₹24.6 lakh per unit, represents competitive value for public construction in J&K, and whether the phased expansion commitment has a defined timeline or budget. Employee welfare announcements without delivery schedules have a long history of stalling in the Union Territory.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was inaugurated by CM Omar Abdullah in Pulwama?
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated a 368-unit residential housing complex at Sempora in Pampore area of Pulwama district on 21 May 2026. The complex was built by the Estates Department at a cost of ₹90.65 crore across 23 blocks, offering 2BHK and 3BHK accommodations.
Who are the beneficiaries of the Sempora housing complex?
The primary beneficiaries are government employees associated with the annual Darbar Move — the seasonal transfer of top J&K government offices between Srinagar and Jammu. Many of these employees had faced accommodation difficulties in recent years.
What is the Darbar Move and why was it revived?
The Darbar Move is a 150-year-old practice of shifting top government offices between Srinagar and Jammu on a seasonal basis. It was discontinued in 2021 by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration but was revived by the Omar Abdullah government following public demand and as part of its electoral commitment, with offices shifting to Srinagar on 4 May 2026.
What eco-friendly features does the housing complex include?
The complex is equipped with solar water-heating systems and effluent treatment facilities, aimed at ensuring sustainable and energy-efficient residential infrastructure for occupants.
Are more such housing projects planned in Jammu and Kashmir?
Yes, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that residential infrastructure for government employees would be expanded in phases across the Union Territory, though no specific timeline or budget for future phases has been announced.
