JK govt notifies common duct policy 2026 to end repeated road digging

Srinagar: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has notified the Jammu and Kashmir Common Duct Policy 2026, marking a major step towards modern urban infrastructure, efficient utility management and cleaner cityscapes in the Union Territory.

The policy, as per GNS approved by the Council of Ministers, establishes a framework for shared utility corridors for power, water, telecom, gas and digital networks. It mandates duct integration in new roads and provides for phased retrofitting of existing infrastructure, single-window Right of Way (RoW) clearances, cost-sharing arrangements and digital asset mapping through the ‘Call Before You Dig’ platform.

The measures will help prevent repeated road digging, protect public infrastructure, reduce operation and maintenance costs of utilities, curb visual clutter and support planned urban growth and enhanced digital connectivity across J&K, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a post on X.