Govt Approves ₹255 Crore Unity Malls for Jammu, Srinagar

SRINAGAR, July 22 : The Government has approved the construction of two state-of-the-art Unity Malls in Jammu and Kashmir at an estimated cost of ₹255 crore, with one mall each to be established in Srinagar and Jammu, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced on Tuesday. Sharing the development on his official X account, the Chief Minister said the projects are aimed at strengthening the Union Territory’s economy by promoting handicrafts, handloom products, tourism, local entrepreneurship and employment. The proposed Unity Malls will serve as dedicated commercial and cultural hubs for showcasing and marketing locally produced handicrafts, handloom items, GI-tagged products, indigenous crafts and goods manufactured by regional entrepreneurs. According to officials, the initiative is designed to provide modern retail and exhibition spaces for artisans, weavers, self-help groups and startups, enabling them to access wider markets and boost their livelihoods. The malls are also expected to become major tourist attractions by offering authentic products from across Jammu and Kashmir under one roof while preserving the region’s rich cultural and artisanal heritage. Besides promoting traditional industries, the projects are expected to generate employment opportunities, encourage local enterprise, and stimulate trade and economic activity across the Union Territory. The Government believes the establishment of the Unity Malls will provide a significant boost to Jammu and Kashmir’s handicrafts sector and contribute to sustainable economic growth through tourism, commerce and entrepreneurship.