J&K’s industrial push is beginning to move from policy announcements to visible manufacturing activity on the ground, with the Union Territory recording a steady rise in private investment over the past three financial years and several large-scale projects now under implementation.
Last month during the inauguration of Eveready Industries India Limited’s new industrial unit in Jammu’s Samba district, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said investments in J&K increased from ₹2,153 crore in FY 2022-23 to ₹3,389 crore in FY 2023-24 and further to ₹4,145 crore in FY 2024-25. He said preliminary work on 312 industrial units worth ₹7,864 crore has already crossed the halfway mark, with production expected to commence from FY 2026-27.
The investment pipeline includes some of the largest private manufacturing projects seen in J&K in recent years, including Chiripal Polyfilms with an investment of ₹1,215 crore, Kandhari Beverages at ₹830 crore and Aegios with investments running into several hundred crores.
Similarly, the number of start-ups has increased from only 69 in 2020 to 1,305 in FY 2025–26, marking a rise of more than 1,800 percent.
Industrial activity
The emerging industrial activity is largely concentrated in the Jammu belt, particularly in Samba and Kathua, where improved highway connectivity, availability of land and proximity to northern markets have made the region attractive for manufacturers. Large factory structures and new industrial estates are increasingly altering the economic landscape along the Jammu-Pathankot corridor.
Javed Ahmad Tenga, president of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI), said that Jammu’s better connectivity with the rest of the country is one of the key factors attracting private investment.
He, however, said connectivity in Kashmir has also improved with the completion of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
“The Valley has also started receiving private investment in various sectors, including the hospitality sector,” Tenga said.
He said that earlier the region was earlier heavily relying on fair weather Jammu- Srinagar National Highway.
Officials say the investments reflect growing confidence among private players following the rollout of the new industrial policy and incentives aimed at attracting manufacturing to the Union Territory. However, the larger challenge remains whether the investments translate into sustained production, local employment and broader economic benefits.
Industry experts point out that while investment commitments have risen sharply, the real test will lie in operationalising projects and generating jobs for local youth in a region where government employment has traditionally remained the primary aspiration.
Published on May 8, 2026