Srinagar, Feb 21: In response to growing concerns from entrepreneurs about inadequate infrastructure in rural industrial estates, the Jammu and Kashmir government has announced the creation of 46 new industrial estates, in addition to the existing 64. The move aims to address the challenges faced by businesses and support economic growth across the region.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary confirmed that these new estates, set to become operational from March 2025, will help boost business activity and generate much-needed employment opportunities in the Union Territory.
Choudhary further revealed that the government has identified land for 15,994 additional industrial plots to accommodate future expansions. The announcement follows numerous complaints from business owners about power shortages, poor transportation, and inadequate infrastructure in rural industrial zones—issues that have prompted many to consider relocating their units to Srinagar or Jammu.
Earlier, Rising Kashmir reported that entrepreneurs, facing frequent power cuts and financial losses, were seriously considering moving their operations to urban areas, where infrastructure and facilities are more reliable. The report highlighted the struggles of a paper cup and tissue manufacturing unit owner who had to shut down production during winter months due to severe electricity shortages, making it difficult to pay staff salaries.
In the wake of these challenges, business owners have once again urged the administration to take immediate action to ensure uninterrupted electricity, better road networks, and provide financial incentives to sustain industrial operations in rural areas.
A food processing entrepreneur stressed that without proper infrastructure, the government’s vision for decentralised industrial growth would remain a distant goal.
