Jammu Municipal Corporation Demolishes 20 Shops In Satwari, Traders Allege No Prior Notice

September 10, 2026

Jammu: The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) on Thursday demolished around 20 shops in the Satwari Chowk area, triggering anger among affected shopkeepers who alleged that they were not given prior notice before the action.

The shopkeepers claimed that the commercial establishments had been operating at the location for around 50 years and that they had regularly paid monthly rent to the municipal authorities.

Shopkeepers Allege Demolition Without Adequate Notice

According to the affected traders, the demolition was carried out without adequate information or notification, leaving them with little time to remove their belongings or make alternative arrangements.

The action comes amid the long-pending issue of rehabilitation of shopkeepers affected by development and road-widening works in the Satwari area.

JMC Promises Relocation Within Six Months

The UT Cabinet had earlier approved a rehabilitation and resettlement scheme for shopkeepers and open-space kiosks affected by road widening at Nai Basti and Satwari Chowk.

A Jammu Municipal Corporation official said the affected shopkeepers would be relocated to another site within six months.

However, the assurance has not convinced the traders, who said they had received rehabilitation assurances in the past as well but continued to face uncertainty over their livelihoods.

The rehabilitation issue has repeatedly been raised by traders’ bodies. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry had earlier stated that affected shopkeepers were paying rent to municipal authorities and had sought alternative sites and rehabilitation.

The shopkeepers have now demanded immediate financial compensation, arguing that relocation promises remain uncertain.

Jammu Civic Action Comes Amid Encroachment Drive

In June 2026, the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) cleared more than 30 illegal structures near Jammu railway station, reclaiming state land valued at around ₹10 crore.

The allegations made by the affected shopkeepers regarding lack of prior notice could not be independently verified.