3 weeks ago
Rail, Tourism, Investments Reshape Jammu and Kashmir Seven Years Post-370
For the first time, trains can now travel from the rest of India all the way into Kashmir.
A very long and difficult railway was finished in June 2025, and it includes famous bridges built high over rivers.
Many more people are visiting Kashmir now, and 2024 was the best year ever for tourism there.
The government is also building roads and tunnels so people can travel even when it snows.
One big tunnel, the Zojila Tunnel, had its main part dug out in June 2026 and will connect Jammu and Kashmir with Ladakh all year round.
Because of all this, businesses are growing and new jobs are being created.
The government says the area is earning more money and becoming more connected to the rest of India.
Seven years ago, the special status called Article 370 was removed, and since then the focus has been on building, growing and connecting this region.
The 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link connected Kashmir to India's national rail network in June 2025.
Jammu and Kashmir recorded over 2.3 crore tourist arrivals in 2024, the highest in its history.
The region attracted about Rs 18,000 crore in investments from 2016-17 to 2025-26, the report said.
Real GSDP is estimated to grow 5.82 per cent in 2025-26, with per capita income at Rs 1,68,243.
More than 41,000 government jobs were created in Jammu and Kashmir between 2019 and May 2026.
- Who
- The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Government of India, which has driven infrastructure and economic initiatives since abrogating Article 370 in 2019.
- What
- A report describes how infrastructure, connectivity, tourism, investment and economic growth are reshaping Jammu and Kashmir seven years after the abrogation of Article 370.
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir, including the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar, Jammu and the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail corridor.
- When
- Seven years after the August 2019 abrogation, with key milestones including the USBRL opening in June 2025, record tourism in 2024, and the Zojila Tunnel breakthrough in June 2026.
- Why
- Government policies, improved connectivity, investments and employment initiatives are driving the region's economic integration with the rest of India.
Key facts
- Featured Report
- India Blooms News Service report on Jammu and Kashmir's transformation
- Rail Link
- 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), completed June 2025
- Record Tourism
- Over 2.3 crore tourist arrivals in 2024, highest ever
- Economic Growth
- Real GSDP growth estimated at 5.82% for 2025-26; per capita income Rs 1,68,243
- Investment Inflow
- Approx. Rs 18,000 crore in 2016-17 to 2025-26, up from ~Rs 8,000 crore in prior decades
- Employment
- 41,000+ government jobs created (2019-May 2026); 9.81 lakh people aided by self-employment schemes in four years
- New Airport Terminal
- Civil Enclave at Srinagar International Airport approved Feb 2026 at Rs 1,677 crore; 71,500 sq m, ~10 million passengers annually
- Power Sector
- Rs 7,100 crore budgeted non-tax revenue from power sector in 2026-27, ~64% of own non-tax revenue
Sources
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