Opinion | Post-Abrogation Development in Jammu & Kashmir: A New Dawn of Opportunity

The abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, was more than a constitutional reordering. It marked a fundamental shift in Jammu and Kashmir’s trajectory—from a place governed by special provisions and political ambiguity to one now fully integrated within the framework of the Indian Union. For decades, Article 370 defined Jammu and Kashmir’s relationship with the rest of India. While it was initially introduced as a temporary measure, over time it created a psychological, legal, and developmental disconnect that made governance uneven and progress difficult. Its revocation brought constitutional clarity and administrative uniformity, but more significantly, it opened the gates for a wave of transformation across sectors.

Since 2019, Jammu and Kashmir has seen major reforms across governance, infrastructure, education, investment, and social inclusion. The visible change is not just in statistics, but in streets lit by solar lights in remote villages, in newly paved roads connecting distant hamlets, in children carrying school bags instead of stones, and in young women launching their own ventures with government support. These developments are neither abrupt nor complete, but they are deliberate, consistent, and spreading.

A key shift has been In project implementation. Before 2019, many Central schemes remained either partially implemented or completely out of bounds due to constitutional hurdles. Post-abrogation, Jammu and Kashmir has received the full benefit of schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission, and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Over 20,000 developmental projects have been completed across health, education, water supply, and connectivity. The Jammu and Kashmir Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (JKIDFC) has been instrumental in clearing long-pending public works projects, many of which had been languishing for over a decade.

Major national projects like the Zojila Tunnel, Delhi-Katra Expressway, Banihal-Qazigund Rail Tunnel, and expansion of the Baramulla rail line are transforming mobility and logistics across Jammu and Kashmir. Areas that were seasonally cut off from the rest of the country are now becoming accessible year-round, bringing not just physical connectivity but also economic opportunity and social integration. Jammu and Kashmir’s hydroelectric potential is being harnessed more strategically, while power transmission infrastructure has seen massive upgrades, ensuring better electricity availability even in winter months.

Tourism, the lifeblood of many families in Jammu and Kashmir, has witnessed a strong resurgence. In 2023, Jammu and Kashmir recorded over 1.8 crore tourist visits—the highest in more than 30 years. What’s significant is not just the numbers, but the spread. Tourists are no longer limited to traditional destinations like Srinagar or Gulmarg; places like Bungus Valley, Gurez, Doodhpathri, and Bhaderwah are emerging as new tourism hubs. The government’s home-stay policies and village tourism initiatives are allowing rural households to benefit directly. Adventure tourism, heritage walks, and eco-tourism circuits are creating jobs and reviving traditional arts, crafts, and cuisine.

Another significant area of progress is industrial development. The introduction of the J&K Industrial Policy 2021 has opened Jammu and Kashmir to large-scale investment. For the first time, land banks, single-window clearances, and tax incentives are available to both local and outside investors without bureaucratic delays. Proposals worth over ₹80,000 crore have been received, and ground-level implementation has already started in multiple sectors such as food processing, information technology, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. Jammu and Kashmir is no longer seen as an economic risk zone, but as an emerging destination for growth.

Youth empowerment is at the core of this new journey. Under Mission Youth, thousands of young men and women are being trained, funded, and mentored. Programs like Mumkin (for vehicle-based self-employment), Tejaswini (for women entrepreneurs), and Parvaaz (for coaching and scholarships) have changed the outlook of young people in Jammu and Kashmir. Stone-pelting and street protests, once common, have sharply declined. Instead, we now see local youth engaged in football tournaments, innovation hubs, civil service coaching, and digital entrepreneurship. This silent transformation, driven by dignity and aspiration, holds the key to lasting peace.

Education, too, has seen measurable improvements. Schools in border and tribal districts of Jammu and Kashmir are being upgraded with smart classrooms, playgrounds, and libraries. Enrollment rates, particularly among girls, have gone up. The Right to Education Act, now fully applicable, has strengthened accountability in public schooling. In higher education, new institutions like the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Jammu and satellite campuses of central universities are expanding opportunities for advanced learning. Students from Jammu and Kashmir now have equal access to national-level scholarships and entrance exams.

Equally important has been the empowerment of women. The discriminatory provisions that denied women in Jammu and Kashmir property rights if they married outside the area have now been abolished. Thousands of women have since claimed legal rights over land and property, accessed government loans, and become part of self-help groups producing everything from handicrafts to organic foods. The psychological impact of being treated as equal citizens is immeasurable, and it is paving the way for more inclusive development.

At the governance level, the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories—J&K and Ladakh—has led to more direct engagement from the Central government and faster response mechanisms. Panchayati Raj Institutions and District Development Councils (DDCs) have been empowered through elections and funding. Initiatives like ‘Back to Village’ and ‘My Town My Pride’ have brought officers and administrators into direct contact with local communities, bridging the long-standing gap between people and the state.

The security situation, while still sensitive, has improved considerably. There has been a significant decline in recruitment to militant ranks, stone-pelting incidents have nearly vanished, and cross-border infiltration has reduced due to better surveillance and coordination between agencies. The security establishment has moved from reactive measures to proactive, community-centric strategies, which has helped in building trust, especially in previously tense areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

To say that all issues have been resolved would be inaccurate. Unemployment, the need for greater political representation, restoration of statehood, and the challenge of deradicalization remain real and relevant. But what is equally real is that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are no longer only asking “what went wrong,” but increasingly discussing “what’s next.” That shift in mindset—from grievance to growth—is the most important achievement of all.

The abrogation of Article 370 laid the groundwork for a more inclusive, accountable, and development-driven Jammu and Kashmir. It was not just a political decision, but a long-overdue administrative correction that finally gave Jammu and Kashmir a chance to grow on equal footing with the rest of the country. The change may not be loud, but it is steady, visible, and growing. For the first time in decades, hope feels more permanent than fear.

Writer can be reached on midhatmuzamil4@gmail.com