Jammu Cabinet Approves Rs 25 Crore Multi-Level Parking at Jewel Chowk to Ease Traffic
The Jammu and Kashmir cabinet has approved a multi-level car parking project at Jewel Chowk in Jammu at an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore.
The project will be executed by Jammu Smart City Limited. It aims to reduce traffic congestion in one of the city’s busiest commercial areas.
The approval was part of a larger batch of Smart City proposals sent to the cabinet. These included Rs 24 crore for a commercial building with parking at Parade Ground and Rs 25 crore for parking at Shalamar Hospital.
Devansh Yadav, CEO of Jammu Smart City Limited, said the tender process is being expedited. He said construction work will begin soon after tenders are issued.
Jewel Chowk sits at the intersection of several busy roads, including Canal Road, BC Road, Gumat Road, Vinayak Bazaar, and Dogra Chowk. Thousands of vehicles pass through the area daily.
Inadequate parking forces vehicles to park along roadsides. This disrupts traffic flow during peak hours and frequently causes jams.
The new facility will replace an existing surface parking lot near the old Jewel Theatre. That lot currently accommodates only about 40 to 50 vehicles.
The planned structure will include two basements, a ground floor, and three upper floors. It will have capacity for 250 four-wheelers and 70 two-wheelers.
Funding for the project will come from the central government through the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reviewed urban development projects under SASCI in December 2025. He received updates from the CEOs of Jammu Smart City Limited and Srinagar Smart City Limited.
The Jammu Smart City CEO said revitalisation of the central business district and historic core is a key component of the proposals. Multi-level car parking facilities are proposed at several congested locations, including Parade Ground, Mubarak Mandi, Jewel Chowk, Gandhi Nagar-Warehouse, and Tanga Stand-Gumat Bazaar.
A detailed project report for the Jewel Chowk parking has been prepared and formalities completed. Tenders were expected within weeks, with work anticipated to start by March.
A separate parking facility already operates near the main bus stand, a short distance from Jewel Chowk. That six-storey structure includes 1,312 car spaces and 177 two-wheeler spaces, along with 239 shops and a food court.
The Jewel Chowk parking project is intended to serve surrounding markets including Raghunath Bazaar, Vinayak Bazaar, Gumat Bazaar, BC Road, and Canal Road.
