Six Years On: Article 370’s End Has Reshaped Jammu & Kashmir’s Growth Story
Image source: ianslive.in
New Delhi, August 5: Exactly six years after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A on August 5, 2019, Jammu and Kashmir stands transformed — not just constitutionally but economically, socially, and geographically.
Once marred by decades of special status and limited integration, the region is now charting a bold new development path. From record infrastructure growth to startups, tourism, education, and healthcare, Jammu and Kashmir is no longer looking back.
Infrastructure Renaissance: Highways, Railways, and the Iconic Chenab Bridge
Connectivity has been at the heart of J&K’s new development strategy. Key projects include:
- All-weather roads connecting remote valleys
- Railways reaching Srinagar and the Banihal–Sangaldan line operational
- The Chenab Bridge, now the world’s tallest single-arch railway bridge
With 47 major highway projects underway (810 km), backed by ₹41,735 crore investment, the Valley is experiencing an infrastructure boom. EV charging stations and modern rest areas signal a future-ready approach to transit.
Economic Indicators Signal Momentum
- FY 2025–26 Budget: ₹41,000 crore
- Real GSDP: Expected to hit ₹1.45 lakh crore
- Nominal GSDP: Projected at ₹2.65 lakh crore
- Per Capita Income: ₹1,54,703 (up 10.6%)
- CAGR of Real GSDP (last decade): 4.89%
Sector-wise GSDP distribution:
- Primary (agriculture): 20%
- Secondary (industry): 18.3%
- Tertiary (services): 61.7%
Industry and Startups: Driving New Employment Avenues
More than 8,500 investment proposals have been received under various schemes, proposing ₹1.69 lakh crore in capital and over 6 lakh jobs.
Under land allotment policies:
- 213 non-local entrepreneurs
- 1,751 local entrepreneurs have been granted industrial plots
The Jammu Kashmir Konnect programme and Startup Policy have catalyzed innovation:
- 988 startups registered
- 601 awareness camps across 20 districts
- Support from IIT Jammu, IIM Jammu, NIT Srinagar
- ₹250 crore venture capital fund launched for agri-tech, handicrafts, and digital services
Agriculture, Horticulture and the Aroma Mission
- 10,000 hectares added under horticulture
- Production up by 4.13 lakh metric tonnes
- Holistic Agriculture Plan aims for fruit cultivation on 50,000 hectares by 2047
- Lavender farming under Aroma Mission flourishing
- e-NAM integration boosts mandi transparency and pricing
Tourism: From Recovery to Record-Breaking Surge
- 2024 Tourism GSDP Share: 7%
- Tourism Revenue (2024): ₹18,550 crore (nominal), ₹10,150 crore (real)
- 2025 Allocation for Tourism CapEx: ₹390 crore
- Non-Tax Tourism Revenue (2026): Projected to double to ₹100 crore
Major highlights:
- 2.36 crore tourists visited in 2024
- 4,300 flights to Srinagar (Apr–Jun 2025), up 12% from 2024
- Gulmarg Gondola Revenue: ₹103 crore from 7.68 lakh visitors
- Khelo India Winter Games: Hosted 4 times
- Srinagar Marathon 2024: ₹39.26 lakh in registration revenue
- Tulip Garden: 6.71 lakh visitors in just 20 days
- UNESCO Craft City tag and G20 Tourism Group meet lifted global image
Education and Healthcare: Building for the Future
- 3 IITs, IIM Jammu, Navodaya and Kendriya Vidyalayas across districts
- AIIMS Jammu operational since August 2024
- AIIMS Awantipora under construction
- Under PMJAY SEHAT, 21 lakh+ golden cards issued for ₹5 lakh health cover/family/year
Final Thoughts of The Trending People
What began as a political shift on August 5, 2019, has now grown into a developmental transformation. Jammu and Kashmir is no longer defined by special status or conflict. It is emerging as a symbol of opportunity, connectivity, and inclusive growth.
From the heights of Chenab Bridge to the depths of innovation labs in IIM-Jammu, J&K is rewriting its own future — with economic surge, tourism revival, and youth-led enterprise leading the charge.
Six years on, this is not just about constitutional change — it’s about a people, a place, and a promise finally coming together.