Delhi: For decades, the story of Indian administered Jammu & Kashmir gravitated around security operations, fortified checkposts, and counter-insurgency strategies.
Today, however, a different narrative is taking shape—one where newly laid roads, upgraded transport links, revitalised educational infrastructure, and thriving public spaces are rewriting the region’s future.
This shift from a singular focus on militarised security to broad-based civic development underscores a profound transformation: peace is being cemented not only through vigilance but through opportunity, connectivity, and empowerment.
In the early years of the current decade, Indian administered Jammu & Kashmir witnessed a notable improvement in the security environment, reflected in official assessments.
According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, as of March 2025, just 17 active local terrorists remained in the region, a significant decline from previous years; local recruitment into militant ranks dropped markedly, with only seven youths joining militancy in 2024 compared to 22 in 2023 and 100 in 2022.
This remarkable trend has coincided with sustained investments in civic infrastructure, educational facilities, transport networks, and tourism enhancement—each playing a crucial role in fostering normalcy and opportunity for residents.
Roads, railways, and connectivity: More than paths through the mountains
One of the most visually striking aspects of the region’s transformation is the dramatic improvement in connectivity. Roads that once became impassable in winter are being replaced by all-weather tunnels and improved highways, knitting the region closer to the rest of India.
For instance, the Sona Marg Tunnel, inaugurated in January 2025, now offers uninterrupted passage through what was once a treacherous mountainous route.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), vital rural roads and bridges are being built and upgraded, enhancing mobility for students, business owners, and tourists alike.
In Dharhal Tehsil of Rajouri, new road links and bridges have not only eased travel but also bolstered local commerce and educational access, bringing distant villages closer to markets and classrooms.
Connectivity has likewise expanded through railways. The introduction and expansion of the Vande Bharat route to Srinagar have further synergised economic activity, making travel smoother for tourists and locals while supporting ancillary industries such as hospitality and retail.
The evolution of transport infrastructure isn’t just about roads and rails—it is about enabling livelihoods, strengthening family ties across regions, and knitting youth into an economy rich with promise.
Education: The new frontline for a peaceful tomorrow
Perhaps nowhere is the new emphasis on civic infrastructure more evident than in education.
The Economic Survey 2024–25 highlights ambitious efforts to upgrade the schooling landscape with the addition of thousands of smart classrooms, ICT labs, and early childhood education facilities.
Vocational education has expanded across more than a thousand schools, reaching over 1.4 lakh students with practical skills training that aligns with modern job markets.
These investments cultivate human capital and instil in young residents a sense of belonging and purpose in their homeland.
Schools and colleges are no longer distant, under-resourced outposts; they are becoming vibrant centres of learning that equip the next generation with tools to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the larger Indian economy.
With improved infrastructure, increased enrolments, and enriched curricula, education is paving a path away from cycles of despair and into a future brimming with potential.
Urban renewal and public spaces: reviving community life
Civic infrastructure also manifests in spaces for leisure, culture, and communal life. Urban renewal projects such as the Kathua Waterfront, inaugurated in 2025 along the Kathua Canal, illustrate this trend.
This urban riverfront development invites families and visitors to enjoy landscaped public spaces, fountains, walkways, and recreational areas—creating a sense of community pride and belonging that transcends past insecurities.
Across the broader region, investments in public works extend to initiatives passed by the local Assembly, which allocated over ₹7,000 crore to key sectors including public works, industries, and skill development.
These funds bolster road networks, promote commerce, and support vocational training that aligns with local aspirations and market needs.
Tourism: Linking heritage to prosperity
Tourism has long been a cornerstone of Jammu & Kashmir’s cultural and economic identity.
Following infrastructure improvements under government schemes and private investment, the region is witnessing a resurgence in visitor footfalls, which directly feeds into hospitality, retail, and artisan sectors.
Between 2020 and 2024, the state saw a near tenfold increase in domestic tourist visits, a clear testament to regained confidence among travellers and locals alike.
The launch of Asia’s longest ski drag lift in Gulmarg in December 2025 further enhances winter tourism infrastructure, positioning the region as an international destination for snow sports and adventure tourism.
This tourism boom, underpinned by reliable infrastructure such as highways and accommodation facilities, expands employment opportunities and injects new energy into local economies—strengthening the social fabric and offering youth alternatives to insurgent narratives.
A future rooted in stability and growth
As checkposts gradually give way to classrooms and community centres, a profound shift is underway in the state. The narrative emerging from this region is not solely one of conflict and counter-insurgency, but of growth, aspiration, and renewed civic confidence.
Roads that connect villages to markets, schools that unlock potential, waterfronts that build community pride, and tourism that celebrates natural beauty all contribute to a tapestry of development that uplifts everyday life.
This evolution is mirrored in the declining numbers of new local recruits into militancy and in expanding public participation in economic and cultural life.
While the region’s complex history is never forgotten, the present momentum showcases how sustained civic infrastructure development can reshape perceptions, opportunities, and the future itself.
By: ANI – Time of Oman
Sunday 21/December/2025