As is generally wont with most of the projects in Jammu and Kashmir to face minor and even major hiccups and not have a smooth sail in getting established, much talked about Dry Port too encountered many a problem ever since in 2018 where it was announced by the Government. However, most of such humps are over with Govt identifying land in Kathua. Generating employment opportunities and bringing about socio- economic development in a region cannot be increasingly realised with conventional methods alone as their practicality and scope are limited. Unless domestic investment in various vital projects was, side by side, not supplemented by ”arrival” of substantial Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which in most of the cases carries with it advanced technology and technical knowhow too on modern lines, much of development was not possible. Almost each and every state and UT in the country is vouching for more and more FDIs to boost industry and generate employment and to find better ways and facilities for storage of goods, maintenance of roads , better supply chains, promoting international trade and the like. Existing industries would get a good support base and several new ones are expected to be set up as cost inputs would be considerably on the lower side in respect of transportation related goods and raw material imported or exported. There are several products – agricultural, minerals and others linked with traditional arts and crafts in Jammu and Kashmir which have a better international demand and Dry Port would come handy in promoting such products in international markets thus giving a spin to many economic activities associated with such trade. Jammu and Kashmir has, for years together, felt shy of seriously attracting FDI due to various reasons but now the policies and the approach both are undergoing fast changes which speaks for projects like the Dry Port at Kathua. It is just not left to mere conjectures to imagine how much benefits in terms of development would accrue and result by such a joint venture by setting logistics hubs in the twin capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir. There was a major hitch in respect of the selection of the land for the Dry Port and also in respect of which organisation the Dry Port would be functioning under or getting promoted. The land obviously was to be selected in such a location so as to be having a direct link with the Railways although regarding construction of the Dry Port in Jammu and Kashmir, proper announcement about which was made in the General Budget for 2018-19. Now, a major development towards the Dry Port becoming a sure possibility has been by way of transferring 221 kanals of state land to the Industries and Commerce Department. The land identified is at village Forelain in Ghatti area of Kathua district, for allotment of which UT Lieutenant Governor took personal interest while participating in Block Diwas at Hiranagar by issuing on the spot directions for early transfer of the required land to the Industries Department. It is worth noting that State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO) would be wholly looking after the exercise of setting up of the concerned Dry Port. Now other paper works are to be done, permissions and NOCs to be obtained from all concerned relevant quarters. However, one more development having taken place is the Railways giving permission to build a rail link from the main track up to the Dry Port. Cutting down on transport costs would be possible with the coming up of the rail link so that movement for imports and exports could substantially improve. We know that COVID -19 pandemic restrictions would to some extent, come in the way of a smooth setting up of the Dry Port in a definite timeframe but overcoming all such issues and speeding up other formalities and paper works, the dream of a Dry Port- all complete to be operational with its various advantages in respect of industrial, economic and employment areas leading to socio-economic development , would soon come true heralding a new chapter of development in Jammu and Kashmir
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