More than 200 investors from outside Jammu and Kashmir have been granted land in industrial estates over the past decade to set up business units, reflecting a significant rise in investments, official data reveals.
The trend saw a sharp increase following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which led to the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories. Investors, primarily from Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab, have shown keen interest in establishing businesses in the region, particularly in Jammu’s Kathua and Samba districts, while fewer businesses have been set up in the Kashmir Valley.
Surge in Industrial Investments Post-2019
According to the Industries and Commerce Department, the 2016-26 industrial policy saw 28 business owners from different states receiving over 500 kanals of land in Samba and Kathua. However, after the introduction of the revised Industrial Policy 2021-30, investors from across India, including Delhi, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, have explored J&K as a potential business destination.
So far, 50 investors from Delhi, 45 from Haryana, and 43 from Punjab have secured land for industrial projects. Other notable investments include 14 from Uttar Pradesh, nine from Maharashtra, and seven each from Gujarat, Chandigarh, and Himachal Pradesh.
Industrial Growth & Government Support
Officials highlighted that the Revenue Department provided land for industrial development, which was then allocated to businesses following government policies. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary emphasized that the Industrial Policy 2021-30 prioritizes sectors such as manufacturing, IT, agriculture and food processing, healthcare, infrastructure, tourism, film industry, horticulture, renewable energy, handloom, and handicrafts.
He also mentioned that the government is actively implementing initiatives to enhance J&K’s industrial ecosystem, making it more investor-friendly. Additionally, enterprises with 51% ownership by women entrepreneurs will qualify for land allotment in designated industrial estates, encouraging female-led business ventures.
The increasing interest from investors across India signals growing confidence in J&K’s economic potential, driven by policy reforms and government support.
