Six Years After Article 370 Abrogation, Kashmir Charts a New Path of Growth and Inclusion
Srinagar, Aug 4 (TheTrendingPeople): Six years since the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing a sweeping transformation across multiple fronts — economic, infrastructural, cultural, and civic. Moving beyond its conflict-ridden past, the Union Territory is carving a narrative centered on innovation, opportunity, and resilience.
At the core of this shift is the Jammu and Kashmir Start-up Policy 2024–27, which was unveiled by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Avinya Startup Summit in March 2024. The policy outlines a vision to establish 2,000 start-ups by 2027 — a number that already looks attainable with 837 start-ups registered, including 302 led by women entrepreneurs.
Startup Ecosystem Finds Roots in the Valley
The administration has committed a Rs 250 crore venture capital fund to back early-stage innovation, especially in agri-tech, handicrafts, and digital services, with an initial Rs 25 crore infused from UT reserves. The government is not just focusing on startup numbers but on sustainability and scalability, empowering youth with tools for self-reliance.
Agri-tech ventures like Qul Fruitwall, founded by Khuram Mir, have become symbols of this new movement. With IoT-based soil monitoring, drone-assisted crop management, and blockchain-backed supply chains, Qul has raised Rs 60 crore in international funding and supports over 5,000 farmers in rural Kashmir.
Handicraft Revival: Digital Tools, Authenticity and Global Reach
Once plagued by counterfeit imports and market disconnect, Kashmir’s handicrafts are now enjoying a global resurgence. Platforms such as Kashmir Box have digitised the sale of authentic local goods, boosting incomes and preserving endangered art forms.
Recent crackdowns on fake GI-tagged products like Pashmina shawls and hand-knotted carpets have restored faith in Kashmiri craftsmanship. Traders are now calling for public verification tools and more stringent enforcement to ensure only genuine goods reach buyers.
GI-certified crafts — from Sozni embroidery to walnut wood carving — are in high demand once again, aided by digital awareness campaigns and e-commerce integration.
Smart Cities and Infrastructure Drive Urban Revival
Under the Srinagar Smart City Project, managed by Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL), the city has witnessed sweeping changes: smart roads, LED-lit ghats, efficient sanitation systems, and real-time e-governance tools are redefining urban life in the Valley.
The Jhelum Bund beautification project, backed by a Rs 68.02 crore DPR, includes embankment restoration, modern ghats, and LED lighting that has transformed the riverfront into a public heritage promenade. These upgrades have made Srinagar more tourist-friendly and functionally modern.
Tourism and Investments: Promises and Progress
Buoyed by improved connectivity, restored heritage sites, and enhanced security, tourism in Kashmir has surged. Houseboat owners, heritage guides, and hotel operators have reported record bookings over the past two seasons.
Since 2019, Rs 1.63 lakh crore worth of investment proposals have been submitted across sectors such as hospitality, horticulture, education, and manufacturing. As of early 2025, Rs 10,516 crore has been realised in actual investments, indicating early traction amid bureaucratic delays.
Over 8,300 applications have been received under the new Industrial Development Scheme, with emphasis on long-term private partnerships.
Land Rights, Domicile Certificates, and Civic Empowerment
The domicile law, introduced in 2020, has proven to be a game-changer for thousands. Over 25,000 individuals have been issued domicile certificates, allowing them access to land ownership rights, state welfare schemes, and government jobs — previously inaccessible under the old constitutional arrangement.
This legal recognition is contributing to greater integration, especially for displaced communities and the youth.
Cultural Identity and Language Reforms in Focus
Kashmir is also witnessing a quiet cultural revival. The Kashmiri language has been made compulsory up to Class 10, though concerns remain over shortages of trained teachers. Education authorities have promised to address this gap through faculty recruitment and partnerships with linguistic institutes.
The University of Kashmir has expanded offerings in regional literature and cultural studies, including interdisciplinary research through the Institute of Kashmir Studies and Centre of Central Asian Studies — initiatives aimed at reconnecting with lost histories and intellectual legacies.
Final Thoughts from The Trending People
Kashmir’s post-Article 370 journey is no longer just a political talking point — it is becoming a case study in socio-economic reinvention. From vibrant startups to revived cultural traditions, from smart urban planning to empowered rural entrepreneurs, the Valley is redefining its place in modern India.
While challenges remain — from bureaucratic inertia to gaps in implementation — the momentum of progress is unmistakable.
As Kashmir embraces this multidimensional transformation, the world is beginning to see it not through the lens of conflict, but through the prism of creativity, entrepreneurship, and civic renewal.