When Article 370 was abrogated on August 5, 2019, it marked one of the most defining political moments in India’s recent history. The move effectively revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status, integrating it more closely with the rest of the nation. It was both a political and administrative overhaul ending seven decades of semi-autonomy and paving the way for a new governance and development model. While the decision sparked debates across the political spectrum, its long-term implications have increasingly been measured through the prism of economic growth, infrastructure expansion, investment, governance reforms and social transformation in the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
In the five years since that historic day, the landscape of Jammu and Kashmir has undergone a visible transformation. For decades, the region’s development had been hampered by layers of bureaucratic red tape, political instability and insurgency-related disruptions. Article 370, which was initially introduced to protect local autonomy and identity, also inadvertently created barriers to private investment, national integration and administrative transparency. Post-abrogation, the removal of these barriers has unleashed a series of policy-driven changes that aim to place Jammu and Kashmir on the national development trajectory.
One of the most visible areas of transformation has been infrastructure development. The connectivity push in Jammu and Kashmir has gained unprecedented momentum, with projects that were once stuck in files for years now nearing completion. The construction of the Chenab Rail Bridge the world’s highest railway bridge stands as a symbol of engineering marvel and resilience. The completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project, expected to be fully operational soon, is set to connect Kashmir to the rest of India by rail for the first time in history. Road connectivity, too, has witnessed dramatic improvement. The four-laning of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, new tunnels like Zojila and Z-Morh, and upgraded roads in far-flung areas have reduced travel time and improved logistics, vital for trade and tourism.
Power generation and energy infrastructure have also seen renewed attention. Long-pending hydropower projects such as Ratle and Pakal Dul have been revived, with private and central participation ensuring better timelines and funding. These projects not only aim to make Jammu and Kashmir self-reliant in power but also turn it into an energy-exporting region. Similarly, efforts are underway to improve rural electrification and renewable energy access, bringing light to villages that remained in darkness for decades.
Tourism, a sector deeply tied to Kashmir’s natural beauty and heritage, has witnessed a historic revival. In 2023, Jammu and Kashmir recorded its highest-ever tourist footfall, with over two crore visitors exploring its valleys, shrines and meadows. The return of international tourists, especially from Southeast Asia and Europe, has reignited the region’s hospitality and handicraft sectors. The government’s promotion of new destinations such as Doodhpathri, Bungus, Gurez and Sinthan Top has diversified tourism beyond the traditional Gulmarg-Pahalgam-Srinagar circuit. The investment in tourism infrastructure — new hotels, homestay schemes, upgraded airports and improved road networks — has created thousands of local jobs and revived ancillary sectors like transport, handicrafts and horticulture.
Investment and industrialization have been the cornerstone of the post-abrogation growth narrative. The Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy 2021, coupled with incentives from the central government, has attracted a new wave of investors who previously shied away due to legal and bureaucratic barriers. The ground-breaking ceremony in Srinagar in 2023 for new industrial projects worth thousands of crores reflected growing confidence in the region’s stability. Over 5,000 investment proposals have been received, with significant participation in sectors such as agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, logistics and tourism infrastructure. Multinational corporations, national conglomerates and local entrepreneurs have begun exploring opportunities that were once considered inaccessible.
The real estate sector, too, has witnessed reforms. With the removal of property ownership restrictions that existed under Article 370, non-residents can now invest in land and housing projects in Jammu and Kashmir, subject to certain regulations. This change has brought private construction, urban housing and retail developments to the forefront, reshaping cities like Jammu, Srinagar, and Anantnag into expanding urban centers.
Social welfare and grassroots governance have received a parallel push. The Panchayati Raj system, which remained weak under the previous administrative setup, has been strengthened to ensure power reaches the last mile. Elected Panchayats and Block Development Councils are now central to local decision-making, enabling participatory governance and community-driven development. The implementation of central welfare schemes from PM Awas Yojana to Ayushman Bharat, PM-Kisan and Jal Jeevan Mission — has expanded rapidly, covering previously neglected rural and tribal communities. Education and healthcare, two sectors often overshadowed by political turmoil, are now seeing visible restructuring.
Several new medical colleges, nursing institutions and skill development centers have come up across the Union Territory, expanding access to education and professional training. The University of Kashmir and Jammu University have established new campuses and collaborations with national institutions. In healthcare, the expansion of tertiary facilities, telemedicine programs and district-level hospitals have improved accessibility. The AIIMS in Vijaypur (Jammu) and Awantipora (Kashmir) are landmark additions that promise to transform the healthcare landscape of the region.
The abrogation has also catalyzed reforms in policing, administration and transparency. The extension of the Right to Information Act, the Central Vigilance Commission and other central laws has enhanced accountability. Administrative efficiency has improved through digitization land records, government services and grievance redressal mechanisms are increasingly being moved online. The Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission and other recruitment agencies have conducted transparent exams, signaling a shift toward merit-based employment systems that resonate with the aspirations of the youth.
Employment generation, a critical concern, has been addressed through multiple avenues. The government’s focus on entrepreneurship and skill development has empowered thousands of young Kashmiris to start their ventures under schemes like Mission Youth and the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme. Women’s participation in the workforce, too, has seen a gradual but meaningful rise, supported by self-help groups, handicraft clusters and microfinance schemes.
Agriculture and horticulture the traditional backbone of Kashmir’s economy have also seen modernization efforts. Apple, walnut, and saffron cultivators are now linked to national markets through better logistics and cold storage chains. The introduction of high-density apple plantations, GI tagging of local products, and the creation of agri-export hubs have begun to transform the rural economy. With central government support, the emphasis has shifted from subsistence farming to market-linked production.
Beyond economics, there has been a perceptible change in the social and psychological atmosphere of the region. The sense of isolation that once defined the Valley’s politics has begun to give way to integration and inclusion. Kashmiri students are participating more actively in national-level competitions, start-ups are emerging from Srinagar’s tech parks, and sports infrastructure from new stadiums to training academies has fostered a culture of participation and pride. The G20 tourism working group meeting held in Srinagar in 2023 symbolized this new confidence and international engagement.
Yet, it would be simplistic to suggest that the journey has been without challenges. Security remains a concern, especially in border areas and certain parts of South Kashmir. Political normalization, too, is still evolving, as local parties and the central government navigate the post-Article 370 political reality. While investment and infrastructure have made impressive strides, translating them into equitable employment and inclusive growth remains a task in progress. The psychological scars of decades of conflict will take time to heal, requiring consistent peacebuilding and social outreach.
Nevertheless, the momentum of change is undeniable. The region, once synonymous with turbulence, is now being discussed in terms of investment summits, development milestones, and social indicators. The improved law and order situation have also encouraged the return of film shootings, cultural festivals and public events — activities that not only generate employment but also redefine Kashmir’s narrative beyond conflict.
In retrospect, the abrogation of Article 370 was not merely a constitutional exercise; it was a recalibration of Jammu and Kashmir’s developmental destiny. By removing administrative barriers and aligning the region with the national legal and economic framework, it has opened doors that were long closed to progress. The vision now being pursued is one where economic development complements social justice, where connectivity replaces isolation, and where governance stands for empowerment rather than privilege.
Five years on, Jammu and Kashmir stand at the cusp of transformation — a region striving to redefine itself beyond the confines of history. The hills that once echoed with unrest now hum with construction, education and enterprise. From tourism to trade, agriculture to industry, every sector carries the imprint of change. The true test, however, will lie in ensuring that this growth is inclusive, sustainable and deeply rooted in the aspirations of its people.
If the post-abrogation years have taught one lesson, it is that development can indeed become the bridge between disillusionment and hope. The growth impetus unleashed after the abrogation of Article 370 is more than an economic story it is a story of revival, resilience and reinvention. Jammu and Kashmir, once caught in the crosswinds of history, is now scripting a future defined not by its past limitations but by its unfolding potential.