While the first phase nears completion under the Jammu Smart City project, planned expansions toward Gujjar Nagar and Hari Ki Pouri remain stalled as they await clearance from New Delhi.
The expansion of the Tawi River Front project in Jammu, modeled after Gujarat’s Sabarmati project, has hit bureaucratic delays as later phases await final approval and funding from central authorities in New Delhi, according to official data presented during a recent assembly session.
While the local administration has cleared the extension proposals, work on the subsequent stages cannot commence until federal clearance and financial allocations are secured.
The first phase of the Tawi River Front, developed under the Jammu Smart City Project by Jammu Smart City Limited, spans approximately 2.75 kilometers on both banks of the Tawi River from the barrage to the Bikram Chowk bridge. Initiated in January 2022 at a cost of 135.45 crore rupees, the initial phase focuses on flood protection, recreational development, and establishing a central business district.
Construction on the left bank is scheduled for completion in December 2025, while the right bank is slated for completion in January 2026, with finishing and beautification works currently in their final stages. The project has channeled the river flow to a width of 250 to 300 meters and features four promenades designed for public recreation.
The initial phase from Bikram Chowk to Bhagwati Nagar’s fourth bridge has already begun drawing visitors, offering water sports and hosting community events such as a grand aarti during the Amarnath Yatra.
However, subsequent development remains pending. According to details shared in the assembly, the second phase—extending the river front from Bikram Chowk to Gujjar Nagar—was reviewed by the Union Territory Level Technical Committee on August 7, 2026, and approved by the UT Level High-Powered Steering Committee on August 31, 2026.
The proposal has now been forwarded to the apex committee of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for final clearance under the Urban Challenge Fund, which supports market-driven and sustainable urban development. No financial expenditure has yet been incurred for the second and third phases, as physical construction remains contingent upon central funding and formal green lights.
Similarly, the third phase, which proposes extending the development from Gujjar Nagar to Hari Ki Pouri, remains under consideration for future incorporation. Administration officials clarified that no timeline can be established for the commencement or completion of these subsequent phases until central approvals and financial grants are officially finalized.
