Notifies Common Duct Policy-2026
Srinagar, Oct 5: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has notified the J&K Common Duct Policy 2026, mandating shared underground utility corridors to end repeated digging of roads for laying and repairing separate power, water, telecom, gas, sewerage and digital networks.
The policy, approved by the Council of Ministers and notified through Government Order No. 199-JK(HUD) of 2026, provides for integration of common ducts at the planning and construction stage of new roads, while allowing phased retrofitting of existing infrastructure, particularly high-traffic roads.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the policy as a major step towards modernising urban infrastructure, improving utility management and creating cleaner and more orderly cityscapes across J&K.
The shared-duct system will allow multiple utility providers to use common underground infrastructure instead of repeatedly excavating completed roads for separate installations and repairs. The move is expected to protect road infrastructure, reduce traffic disruption and lower the civil works and maintenance costs incurred by individual service providers.
The policy also introduces a coordinated mechanism for Right of Way (RoW) clearances through a single-window system and provides for cost-sharing arrangements among utility providers. Shared ducts are to be made available on a transparent, non-exclusive and non-discriminatory basis.
A major component of the policy is the use of digital technology to map underground assets and detect faults. Digital asset mapping and real-time fault detection will be supported through Smart IoT and GIS-based systems and the “Call Before You Dig” platform.
The system will enable agencies and utility providers to identify existing underground infrastructure before excavation, reducing the risk of accidental damage to cables, pipelines and other networks and helping minimise service disruptions.
The policy is also aimed at reducing the visual clutter associated with overhead wires and poles by shifting utility networks underground. It is expected to minimise the dust, noise, traffic disruption and safety risks associated with repeated trenching and road cutting.
The Common Duct Policy provides a framework for shared conduits, ducts and cable pathways to accommodate multiple services, including electricity, telecom and fibre-optic lines, water and gas pipelines and sewerage networks.
The Government said the policy would support more coordinated urban expansion, improve the resilience of utility infrastructure and facilitate the growth of digital connectivity across J&K.
By incorporating utility planning into the design of urban, industrial and housing projects, the policy seeks to ensure that underground infrastructure is planned before roads and other public infrastructure are developed, reducing the need for disruptive excavation at a later stage.
The policy also provides for phased retrofitting of existing infrastructure, allowing common ducts to be introduced progressively on existing roads based on priority and feasibility.
The Government said the coordinated infrastructure model would help optimise operational and maintenance expenditure for utility providers while enabling faster inspection, fault detection and repairs through dedicated inspection chambers.
The policy marks a shift towards integrated underground utility management in J&K, with the Government seeking to replace the practice of repeated, agency-wise road excavation with a shared infrastructure model.
