Subhanshu Singh
The abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, marked more than just a constitutional change it signaled a new beginning for Jammu & Kashmir. A region once caught in the web of unrest and underdevelopment began to tread a different path, one rooted in integration, stability, and inclusive growth. The last five years have seen a remarkable transformation in J&K’s security, economy, infrastructure, and social fabric that lays the foundation for lasting peace and prosperity.
However, this journey hasn’t been without challenges. The brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, where 26 unarmed civilians, including tourists and vendors, were killed, reminded the country that threats still exist. But it also triggered one of the most sophisticated responses in recent counter-terrorism history. “Operation Mahadev” and “Operation Sindoor” neutralized top Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives like Suleman alias Faizal, Afghani, and Jibran, with recovered evidence, Pakistani voter IDs, encrypted devices, and foreign-made weapons, strongly suggesting cross-border involvement. The attack shook the nation, but it also led to unity. Even critics of the Centre acknowledged that terror should not be politicized and national security must be above partisan debates. What followed was a renewed commitment not to let terrorism define the narrative of Kashmir again.
Despite setbacks like the recent Pahalgam attack, there’s no denying that Jammu & Kashmir’s security situation has come a long way since the Modi government revoked Article 370. Terror incidents, which stood at 7,214 during the UPA’s 2004-14 rule, have dropped significantly to 2,150 over the last ten years (2015-2025). Stone-pelting, once almost routine, has nearly vanished from the streets. Festivals like Muharram, Janmashtami, and Eid are now celebrated peacefully, often with spirited public participation. The government has also cracked down hard on the terror network, banning 21 organisations with known terror links.
Perhaps the most defining change came during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where Kashmir Valley recorded a 58% voter turnout the highest in decades. This wasn’t just about numbers; it symbolized the people reclaiming their democratic agency.
At the heart of J&K’s transformation is its massive infrastructure push. Approximately ?59,000 crore worth of 53 major projects have been implemented, bringing long-awaited development to the region. Highways, bridges, tunnels, and railways are no longer just plans on paper they’re realities on the ground. The Chenab Rail Bridge, now the world’s highest railway bridge, stands not only as an engineering marvel but also as a powerful symbol of national unity. An 8.5 km-long Banihal tunnel has been constructed, easing travel through the Pir Panjal range. Rail connectivity has finally reached Udhampur, Srinagar, and Baramulla places once cut off from the national rail grid.
J&K’s economic turnaround is equally noteworthy. The region’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) rose from ?1.59 lakh crore in 2018-19 to ?2.45 lakh crore in 2023-24. Tourism has revived with record numbers, 2.11 crore tourists in 2023 and 2.36 crore expected in 2024. Foreign tourist arrivals are also increasing. Tourism, now contributing around 7% to the GSDP, is once again a vibrant sector creating jobs and boosting local income.
Despite the tragic Pahalgam attack, the Amarnath Yatra this year crossed the four-lakh mark, with pilgrims from across India reaffirming their faith and courage. The yatra’s traditional route, just five kilometers from the Baisaran meadow the site of the April attack, witnessed a steady stream of devotees. This resilience is proof that while terrorism may try to shake spirits, unity and devotion are far stronger forces.
Industrial growth has gained momentum. From a mere ?14,000 crore investment in the past 70 years, the last decade has seen ?12,000 crore in actual investment with another ?1.10 lakh crore in MoUs under implementation. Forty-six new industrial estates are being developed, positioning J&K as a budding manufacturing hub. Programs like Skill India, Digital India, and Startup India are reaching the grassroots, nurturing a new generation of aspirational youth. This economic revival is also a psychological shift from dependency to self-confidence.
Culturally too, there is a revival. GI tags for Kashmiri saffron, Basohli paintings, and Mushk Budji rice are preserving the region’s heritage while supporting local economies. Cinema halls, night markets, and festive public celebrations have returned, reflecting deeper social healing and a renewed sense of normalcy.
The contrast between pre-2014 governance and the current approach is stark. Under previous governments, only 3,134 km of roads were built under PMGSY. Under the Modi government, that figure has jumped to over 14,000 km. Housing units built under PMAY surged from 2,580 (2005-14) to over 2.27 lakh between 2016 and 2023. Tap water coverage increased from 30.74% to 74.12%. National Highway projects rose from four to eleven. The infant mortality rate for girls dropped from 43.2 to 18. Each of these figures represents lives touched and futures improved. Whether it’s the reduction in girl child mortality or better road connectivity, these improvements are enablers of dignity, opportunity, and hope.
However, even as the region embraces this new era, the Congress party chooses to resist this progress. JKPCC Chief Tariq Hameed Karra announced that on August 5, marking the fifth anniversary of Article 370’s abrogation, Congress will observe a ‘Black Day’ with sit-in protests across all 20 district headquarters. By protesting the abrogation, Congress is essentially questioning the return of peace, development, and dignity to J&K. It suggests they would rather see the region remain trapped in its old wounds, defined by shutdowns, separatism, and silence.
Jammu and Kashmir today stands as a powerful example of what inclusive governance, sustained investment, and national unity can achieve. From shutdowns and stone-pelting to tourism booms and high-speed rail, the region has come a long way. The abrogation of Article 370 wasn’t the end of an era, it was the beginning of a new chapter, marked by development, dignity, and democracy.
With continued focus on infrastructure, youth empowerment, and peace building, Jammu and Kashmir is poised to become a symbol of India’s unity. What was once a land of shutdowns, fear, and separatism is now a beacon of hope, progress, and peace.
(The author is a Delhi-based political analyst and commentator on sociopolitical affairs)
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