Associated News Bureau

J&K Housing & Urban Development Department Wins Dual SKOCH National Awards for Digital Governance Excellence

SRINAGAR, June 22: The Jammu and Kashmir Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD) has earned national recognition for its digital governance initiatives, securing both Gold and Silver honours at the prestigious SKOCH National Awards for technology-driven reforms aimed at enhancing public service delivery. The awards recognise two flagship digital governance projects—the Automated Building Permission System (ABPS), powered by AutoDCR technology and integrated with GIS-based land-use verification, and the J&K Gati Shakti GIS Asset Mapping System, a comprehensive platform for GIS-based infrastructure mapping, monitoring and planning. Both initiatives were conceptualised and implemented under the guidance of Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD, Mandeep Kaur, with the objective of strengthening digital governance, improving transparency and delivering citizen-centric public services across the urban development sector. The awards were received on behalf of the department by Ankush Kapoor, Chief Informatics Officer and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), during the SKOCH Awards ceremony held in New Delhi. The Automated Building Permission System has streamlined the building approval process through automated scrutiny of building plans using AutoDCR technology integrated with GIS-based land-use verification. The platform has significantly reduced approval timelines, enhanced transparency, ensured compliance with planning regulations and improved the ease of doing business for citizens and stakeholders. Meanwhile, the J&K Gati Shakti GIS Asset Mapping System has enabled digital mapping and monitoring of public infrastructure assets across Urban Local Bodies and government agencies. The platform facilitates evidence-based planning, efficient asset management, inter-departmental coordination and informed decision-making through advanced GIS technology. Officials said the two initiatives have transformed public service delivery by strengthening digital governance, improving monitoring mechanisms and promoting data-driven decision-making across Jammu and Kashmir. Commissioner Secretary Mandeep Kaur congratulated the officers, technical teams, Urban Local Bodies and other stakeholders associated with the projects, reaffirming the department's commitment to leveraging technology for transparent, efficient and citizen-focused governance. The national recognition underscores Jammu and Kashmir's growing stature in digital governance and reflects the department's continued efforts to build a modern, technology-driven and responsive urban administration. ANB