3 weeks ago
Two Kashmirs: one marches ahead, other remains on tenterhooks
Kashmir is a mountain region divided by a special border called the Line of Control, with one side run by India and the other by Pakistan.
Seven years ago, on August 5, 2019, India made big constitutional changes for its side of Kashmir.
Today, the two sides look very different.
On the Indian side, workers have built big bridges and a long tunnel through the mountains so people can travel even in terrible weather.
Very many tourists visited last year — more than 23 million people.
Trains have also been made longer and better.
On the other side, many people are unhappy, and there have been protests and fights with police.
More than 20 people have lost their lives in the unrest there.
So the story tells of one side moving ahead with roads and tourism, while the other side is still waiting for things to get better.
On the seventh anniversary of the August 5, 2019 constitutional changes, Jammu and Kashmir shows development while Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) faces unrest.
Major projects include the 13.153-km Zojila Tunnel (estimated cost Rs 6,809.69 crore), the world's highest Chenab Rail Bridge and India's first cable-stayed Anji Khad Bridge.
Jammu and Kashmir recorded more than 2.3 crore tourist arrivals in 2024, including more than 20 million domestic visits to the Jammu region alone, per Union Tourism Ministry figures.
Indian Railways extended the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat service to Jammu Tawi and increased it from eight to 20 coaches.
Across the LoC, PoJK has faced repeated demonstrations, shutdowns and public-police clashes, with more than two dozen deaths reported amid the JAAC controversy over 12 Assembly seats reserved for refugees.
- Who
- The people and administrations of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), separated by the Line of Control.
- What
- Contrasting fortunes on the seventh anniversary of the August 5, 2019 constitutional changes: development, new infrastructure and record tourism in Jammu and Kashmir versus protests, shutdowns and reported deaths in PoJK.
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, along the Line of Control (article datelined New Delhi).
- When
- August 5, 2026, the seventh anniversary of the constitutional changes effected on August 5, 2019.
- Why
- The anniversary highlights the diverging growth trajectories — infrastructure-led development and connectivity on the Indian side versus political unrest and repression over representation in PoJK.
Development and progress narrative
Unrest and repression narrative
Outlook for Kashmir since August 5, 2019
Development and progress narrative
The constitutional changes have brought a striking turnaround: new tunnels and bridges, expanded railways and record tourism of over 2.3 crore arrivals in 2024 are creating a new economic geography on the Indian side.
Unrest and repression narrative
Political mobilisation continues to dominate public life, and across the LoC in PoJK repeated protests, shutdowns, blackouts and repression keep the region permanently on tenterhooks, with more than two dozen deaths.
Drivers of unrest in PoJK
Development and progress narrative
The chaos in PoJK is linked to the Joint Awami Action Committee and the controversy over the 12 Assembly seats reserved for refugees living outside the territory.
Unrest and repression narrative
The turmoil reflects deeper state apathy and repression, alongside repeated demonstrations and public-police clashes tied to unresolved questions of public representation.
Key facts
- Event anniversary
- Seventh anniversary of the August 5, 2019 constitutional changes (Article 370 abrogation)
- Zojila Tunnel
- 13.153 km; estimated cost Rs 6,809.69 crore; all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh
- Chenab Rail Bridge
- World's highest railway arch bridge
- Anji Khad Bridge
- India's first cable-stayed railway bridge
- Tourist arrivals 2024
- More than 2.3 crore arrivals; over two crore visitors in 2024; over 20 million domestic visits to the Jammu region alone
- PoJK unrest
- More than two dozen deaths reported by a global agency
- PoJK controversy
- 12 Assembly seats reserved for refugees living outside the territory
- Vande Bharat service
- Extended to Jammu Tawi; coaches increased from eight to 20
Quotes
Asian Lite news portal
Online news outlet reporting on Kashmir developments
“"The mountains have not changed. The LoC has not moved. But the development story around it is changing. And perhaps the most important feature of the present moment is that Kashmir is increasingly being judged not only by the politics of its past, but also by infrastructure, connectivity, economic activity and opportunities being built for its future."”
thehansindia.com
“"On the Indian side, infrastructure is creating a new economic geography while on the other side, political mobilisation continues to dominate public life."”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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