Significant development of infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370

By Noman Hasan

After the abrogation of Article 370, the appearance of Jammu and Kashmir has changed due to extensive infrastructure development. On August 5, 2019, the Government of India abrogated Article 370, placing Jammu and Kashmir directly under the central government’s oversight, initiating massive projects. The benefits of that initiative are now being enjoyed by the people of Kashmir. After splitting the complete state into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, regular curfews or terrorism have almost disappeared. The local people are now thwarting all plots of sabotage from neighboring Pakistan. From their bitter experiences, they now desire peace in the state. With this peace, new infrastructures are being developed.

The biggest example of infrastructure development in Kashmir is the Chenab Bridge. This arch railway bridge, built over the Chenab River, is the highest in the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already inaugurated the Chenab Bridge. This bridge is transforming the socioeconomic condition of Kashmir. The Chenab arch railway bridge, constructed at a height of 359 meters above the Chandrabhaga River, has a length of 1,315 meters. The Chenab Bridge is now a pride for the people of Kashmir. This bridge will remain steadfast even during earthquakes. With peace prevailing, infrastructure development is progressing rapidly. Prime Minister Modi has also inaugurated additional development projects worth 46 thousand crore rupees in Kashmir.

In addition to railways, vast roads have also been constructed. Markets, hospitals, schools, and colleges are rapidly being established. Despite numerous decades passing since India’s independence, the communication system in Kashmir was very poor before 2019. However, in the last six years, the entire infrastructure of the valley has dramatically changed. Besides the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway project, many other projects have been developed. In March, India announced 7,789 fiber-to-the-home connections under the net project. Significant developments have also occurred at the airports. Where 35 flights used to operate daily in 2019, that number has now increased to 125.

With the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir, women and marginalized sections of society have benefited the most. With the support of the central government, new industries are being established in the valley. Currently, there are 837 new industrial ventures in operation, of which 302 are led by women. The city of Srinagar has become even more attractive under the Smart City project, benefiting both tourists and local inhabitants. In the past five years, an investment of 1 lakh 63 thousand crores of rupees has come to Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir is now on the fast track of development.

On the path of development and peace, the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have now become ideal examples for all of India in investment, infrastructure, tourism, social welfare, and agricultural development. According to government data from Jammu & Kashmir, nearly one and a half lakh new projects have been initiated in the last six years. The opportunities for employment for skilled and unskilled workers, engineers, and transporters have been increasing in Kashmir through construction and procurement activities. A total of 1,169 lakh person-days have been created. The Indian government has significantly increased the budget allocation for Kashmir’s development to thwart Pakistani conspiracies and aims for development. The Indian government has created 4 lakh 50 thousand jobs in a new project worth 28 thousand 400 crores rupees. Multiple international agreements have also been signed with the aim of investing in real estate, infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, and manpower employment sectors.

In terms of infrastructure, 53 projects worth 58,477 crore rupees have been established in sectors such as roads, electricity, health, education, tourism, and skill development. These projects are now at various stages of completion. There are 1,192 projects stuck at different phases worth 1,983 crore 77 lakh rupees, and some of these projects were delayed for 10 to 20 years. A total of 11,517 km of roads, including 1,858 roads and 84 bridges, was completed in the first three years following the repeal of Section 370.

A series of projects have been initiated to develop Kashmir as a major educational center in northern India. Alongside modernizing existing educational institutions, many new schools and colleges are being constructed. Educational activities have already begun in premier institutions like IITs and IIMs. Over the last six years, 22 new colleges and two new cultural universities have been established. The government is encouraging poor and minority students through scholarship programs at the grassroots level.

The Indian government is undertaking the Prime Minister’s Development Project (PMDP) for the rapid development of physical infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. As of October 2021, 21 major projects have been established at a cost of 34,653 crore rupees. In the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Rural Road Scheme, Jammu and Kashmir ranked 9th in the country in 2016-17, but improved to 3rd place in 2020-21.Through the Soubhagya scheme, 357,405 houses have been electrified, enabling Jammu and Kashmir to successfully implement the 100% household electrification program. Work is underway on a 3,500 megawatt hydroelectric project to meet the electricity demand of Kashmir.

There has been significant development in the healthcare infrastructure in Kashmir. Various projects have been undertaken to improve healthcare services in rural areas. A health insurance scheme of 5 lakh rupees per family has been launched in the valley. Additionally, they are also benefiting from the national health insurance scheme. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has been established there. Two more medical colleges have been set up. There is also a cancer research center in Kashmir. A 15-year tax exemption has been announced for investments in information technology, infrastructure, renewable energy, manufacturing, hospitality, defense, skill education, and tourism. 31 companies want to invest in Kashmir, which was once notorious for terrorist activities. This includes Reliance Ammunition Limited, Shree Cements Limited, Dalmia Cement (India) Limited, Krishna Hydro Projects Private Limited, Universal Success Enterprise Singapore, Chima Boiler, Indian School of Business, Prakash Amusement Rides and Fun World Private Limited, Bestek India Private Limited, LMN and Software Private Limited, Cure Fit Health Care Private Limited, Precision Industrial Systems, and other renowned organizations.

Kashmiris are now busy implementing the central government’s projects instead of throwing grenades, bombs, and bullets. They have understood that without peace, there will be no progress. Therefore, for the sake of their beautiful future, people there are now focused on development instead of violence. And that’s why many investors, like tourists, now consider it a destination, the paradise on earth.

Noman Hasan is a senior Journalist, Dhaka, Bangladesh