Srinagar Urban Agglomeration proliferates on the banks of the Jhelum River and is one of the most rapidly urbanizing cities in the Indian Himalayan Region. However, haphazard urban growth in recent decades poses a threat to sustainable development in this region. Therefore, this study attempts an investigation into the urban growth dynamics of Srinagar city using geospatial techniques. Urban growth from 1930 to 2021 was analyzed to identify time-based variations in settlement patterns. Thereafter, the impact of urban governance and policy changes on urban growth trend was analyzed based on Master Plans. The findings demonstrate an exponential pattern of urban expansion and settlement along the north–south axis, resulting in significant underdevelopment in the southeast and eastern areas of Srinagar. Such studies are required for achieving a sustainable development strategy for the region, as it assists in understanding the change in the urban expansion and identify the growth patterns.